AFC
Tashkent
Otabek Shukurov’s late penalty ensured Uzbekistan maintained their unbeaten start to Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 on Tuesday as the Central Asians secured a 1-0 win over 10-man United Arab Emirates in Tashkent.
Shukurov converted from the spot in the 76th minute with the visitors already shorthanded following Abdulla Hamad’s sending off 11 minutes earlier for a dangerous challenge on Sherzod Nasrullaev.
The win keeps Uzbekistan in pole position in the standings with 10 points from their opening four games as they continue their quest for a first-ever berth at the FIFA World Cup while the UAE, who last qualified for in 1990, remain on four points.
Visiting winger Yahya Al Ghassani forced Utkir Yusupov into a fine save in the 11th minute in a bright start for the UAE, the goalkeeper dropping to his right to keep out an attempt to score at the near post after receiving possession on the left of the penalty area.
Nasrullaev almost unlocked the UAE defence in the 26th minute, the midfielder curling his cross towards the penalty spot where Eldor Shomurodov arrived to power a downward header just wide of the goalkeeper’s left post.
Odiljon Xamrobekov’s drive down the left set up Shomurodov again moments later, with Eisa eventually blocking the AS Roma striker’s goal-bound effort while the Italy-based centre forward tried to set himself up with a late effort, only to lift the ball over the bar.
Uzbekistan were almost caught out three minutes into the second half when Harib Abdalla barged through the defence to be left one-on-one with Yusupov before lifting his shot over the bar while at the other end Abbosbek Fayzullaev was denied by Al Ghassani’s challenge.
Azizbek Turgunboev should have put Uzbekistan in front in the 58th minute but sent his shot agonisingly wide of Eisa’s right post with the goalkeeper beaten while, seven minutes later, the hosts found themselves with a man advantage as Hamad was dismissed.
The midfielder was shown a straight red card by referee Ma Ning for a rash challenge on Nasrullaev, catching the Uzbekistan midfielder above the ankle with a lunge that left the Chinese official with no alternative.
With time running out, Ma pointed to the penalty spot when Bobir Abdixolikov’s shot hit Khalifa Mubarak on the arm and Shukurov stepped up to finally break the Emirates’ resistance with a strike that went in off the inside of the post.
