AFC U23 Asian Cup
The result secured the Central Asian side a place in the quarter-finals as they topped the group with seven points.
The 2018 champions came alive in the second half against Korea Republic, with goals from Behruzjon Karimov and substitute Saidumarkhon Saidnurullayev consigning their opponents to defeat.
The 2018 champions came alive in the second half against Korea Republic, with goals from Behruzjon Karimov and substitute Saidumarkhon Saidnurullayev consigning their opponents to defeat.
#AFCU23 | Group C: Uzbekistan 2-0 Korea Republic
“We had challenges, and if things had gone differently, we might have fallen behind,” said Khaydarov. “But the team played at a high level, demonstrating patience, intelligence and skill.
“In the first half, we perhaps let some opportunities slip, and Korea Republic controlled the game for a while. However, with patience and perseverance, we managed to adjust and in the second half, we achieved our goal.”
“In the first half, we perhaps let some opportunities slip, and Korea Republic controlled the game for a while. However, with patience and perseverance, we managed to adjust and in the second half, we achieved our goal.”
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The 64-year-old also commended his team’s overall group stage performance.
“They showed a lot of dedication and teamwork and I’m looking for them to maintain that consistency, to keep their focus and to adapt well to the challenges of the knockout stage.”
Despite their defeat, Korea Republic advanced as group runners-up, three points adrift of Uzbekistan, after Islamic Republic of Iran’s 1-0 loss to Lebanon.
“They showed a lot of dedication and teamwork and I’m looking for them to maintain that consistency, to keep their focus and to adapt well to the challenges of the knockout stage.”
Despite their defeat, Korea Republic advanced as group runners-up, three points adrift of Uzbekistan, after Islamic Republic of Iran’s 1-0 loss to Lebanon.
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Head coach Lee Min-sung was disheartened that their game did not go according to plan, but felt his team did their best.
“We suffered a heavy defeat as we weren’t able to execute the plays we had,” said the former international. “This is disappointing, and we need to improve in many aspects.
“There was also some confusion when we were putting the lineup together, so we need to analyse our team and most importantly, prepare accordingly.”
“We suffered a heavy defeat as we weren’t able to execute the plays we had,” said the former international. “This is disappointing, and we need to improve in many aspects.
“There was also some confusion when we were putting the lineup together, so we need to analyse our team and most importantly, prepare accordingly.”
