AFC U17 Asian Cup
The handsome win means the 2012 champions will face either Indonesia or DPR Korea in the semi-finals on Thursday.
Uzbekistan started off on the front foot and had a great opportunity to take the lead in the second minute, but Abubakir Shukurullaev shot tamely from close range after a neat one-two with Sadriddin Khasanov.
Khasanov fired just wide from outside the penalty box, before Sayfiddin Sodikov was denied by a great last-ditch block from Ali Hassan Aljasmi with Uzbekistan seizing control of proceedings.
The Central Asians were rewarded for their dominance in the 14th minute through a magnificent 25-yard free-kick from Aliev, who struck the ball beautifully from the outside of his right foot into the top left corner.
It was Aliev’s fourth goal in the competition, which took him top of the tournament’s goalscoring charts.
In the 35th minute, the Odil Junior striker made it five goals at the AFC U17 Asian Cup, using his thigh to turn home Sodikov’s left-wing cross.
Sodikov put his name on the scoresheet with a penalty in the 45th minute to close out a thoroughly dominant first half performance from Uzbekistan.
Q-final - Uzbekistan v UAE
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The young White Wolves would’ve been forgiven for taking their foot off the gas after the restart, but that wasn’t the case as they continued to pour forward in numbers in search of more goals.
Aliev, for one, was determined to land his hat-trick and fired a shot into the head of Ahmed Ekramy who needed brief medical attention.
But it was UAE who landed the next goal to reduce the deficit in the 66th minute.
It came courtesy of the second set-piece goal of the night, this time through Mohamed Buti Almarar who found the top right corner courtesy of a slight deflection.
Jamshidbek Rustamov came close to adding a fourth late on, but Uzbekistan’s first half spoils proved sufficient as they saw out the tie for a comfortable win.
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