AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers - Group E: Uzbekistan 2-1 Palestine; Kyrgyz Republic 6-0 Sri Lanka

Bishkek: Kyrgyz Republic secured top spot in Group E and a place at the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 Finals on Tuesday with a 6-0 victory over Sri Lanka in Bishkek while former champions Uzbekistan took second in the standings with a 2-1 win against Palestine.

The results mean Kyrgyz Republic finish in first place on goal difference ahead of their Central Asian neighbours, who also have seven points and must wait until the completion of the group phase to learn if they will advance as one of the four best runners-up.

Kyrgyz Republic 6-0 Sri Lanka
Marlen Murzakhmatov scored twice in the first half before goals from Kimi Merk, Khristiian Brauzman, Erbol Abduzhaparov and Said Datsiev earned Edmar de Lacerda’s side a margin of victory that moved them above Uzbekistan and secured their ticket for the Finals.

The hosts went in front in the 14th minute when Yryskeldi Madanov slipped his pass from the right channel into the path of Murzakhmatov, who fired a low shot into the far corner across goalkeeper Ahamed Shareef from a tight angle.

Madanov and Murzakhmatov linked up again five minutes into time added on at the end of the first half with a similar result to double the lead, the winger sidestepping his marker on the right flank before bending in a cross that the forward pushed in from four yards.

Within a minute of the restart, Kyrgyz Republic had added to their lead in spectacular fashion.

Madanov was again involved, this time delivering a cross from the right to Merk, who had the time to control the ball with his chest on the edge of the penalty before sending a looping bicycle kick over Shareef with the goalkeeper several yards off his line.

Kyrgyz Republic’s fourth came on the hour mark when Shareef could only parry Datsiev’s powerful drive from distance and Brauzman casually tucked away the rebound.

Abduzhaparov headed in the fifth from a Merk corner eight minutes later and another Datsiev drive took a deflection to beat Shareef with 15 minutes remaining.

Uzbekistan 2-1 Palestine
Uzbekistan had earlier picked up three points against Palestine, with Rustam Turdimurodov heading in the winner five minutes from time.

Uzbekistan went in front in the 25th minute when Askarov Bekhruzbek found himself free inside the six-yard box to meet Nodirbek Abdurazzokov’s cross from the right, the forward side-footing a volley that goalkeeper Mahdi Assi fumbled the ball into his own net.

With 20 minutes remaining the Palestinians pulled level. Hadi Dakwar slid his low pass from the left across the face of goal and Mohammed Sandouqa emerged unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box to calmly roll the ball in.

Uzbekistan ended up taking the points as Turidmurodov met another Abdurazzokov cross from the left, his downward header beating Assi.

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