AL WAKRAH: Turgenbov’s late header cancelled out Martin Boyle’s first-half penalty to ensure Uzbekistan earned a 1-1 draw with Australia at Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday as the Socceroos confirmed their status as Group B winners at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.
Boyle converted a minute into injury time after a handball by Odiljon Xamrobekov to put the Socceroos within sight of a third straight win, but substitute Turgenbov levelled in the 78th minute to seal second place in the standings for Srecko Katanec’s side.
The result means Australian will next take on one of the third-placed finishers in the Round of 16 while Uzbekistan are due to meet the runners-up in Group F when the knockout rounds begin on Sunday.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold made five changes to the team that started the 1-0 win over Syria while Katanec dropped Jaloliddin Masharipov and Igor Sergeyev to the bench among four switches the Slovenian made to the Uzbekistan line-up that defeated India.
Portsmouth striker Kusini Yengi was one of those brought into the Australia team and the 25-year-old headed into the net in the 11th minute, but his effort was quickly ruled out with Boyle in an offside position in the build-up.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev threatened behind the Australian defence before his shot was blocked by Kye Rowles while Harry Souttar was forced to throw himself at full stretch to deny Otabek Shukurov a shooting opportunity eight minutes from the end of the first half.
Yengi enlightened a tepid first half with a slaloming run that ended with McGree miscuing his shot badly wide, only for the VAR officials to alert referee Yusuke Araki to an incident inside the box that saw the ball hit Xamrobekov’s arm as he sought to block Yengi’s run.
The pitchside review led to Araki pointing to the spot and Boyle sent Utkir Yusupov the wrong way to put the Australians in front.
Masharipov was introduced for Oston Urunov at the interval and he went close to levelling within six minutes of the restart, bending his free-kick narrowly wide of Maty Ryan’s left post after Fayzullaev had been upended by Souttar.
The Panserraikos winger was having a major influence on his team as the half wore on and, with the clock ticking down, he unlocked the Australian defence, sending over an inviting cross from the left that fellow substitute Turgenbov rose above Behich to nod home.
