Kuwait 1-2 Uzbekistan

AFC – DOHA, Uzbekistan took a step closer to the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Kuwait at Al Gharafa Stadium on Wednesday.

Makism Shatskikh’s deflected free-kick gave Vadim Abramov’s side the lead just before the break but Kuwait hit back soon after the restart through a Bader Al Mutawa penalty.

However, a fine long-range strike from Server Djeparov in the 65th minute secured the win to move Uzbekistan onto six points in Group A and on the cusp of a place in the last eight.

The Kuwaitis provided Uzbekistan with an early indication that they would not be in for an easy game as they created the first chance after just five minutes.

A fine ball from midfield sent Yaqoub Al Taher free down the right and the defender reached the byline before cutting the ball back into the area for Walied Ali, but the midfielder drove his shot wide.

Uzbekistan’s first chance of the game came soon after when Sanjar Tursunov sent a high cross into the area for Odil Ahmedov – scorer of the stunning first goal at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 last Friday – but the Pakhtakor man headed over from close range.

However, the opening goal arrived four minutes before the break when Uzbekistan were awarded a free-kick just outside the area, and Shatskikh stepped up to drive an effort that struck team-mate Azizbek Haydarov and deflected into the back of the net with keeper Nawaf Al Khaldi stranded.

Kuwait regrouped at half time and emerged for the second period clearly determined to snatch a quick equaliser as substitute Hamad Nayef headed just over with his first touch since coming onto the pitch.

But Nayef was to make a more telling contribution in the 49th minute when he brought down just inside the penalty box by Anzur Ismailov and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Al Mutawa then confidently stepped up to send the penalty to the left of keeper Ignatiy Nesterov.

Action swung from one end of the pitch to the other after that with both sides eager to get their noses in front, but it was Uzbekistan who reclaimed the lead in the 65th minute through an unstoppable effort from Djeparov.

The FC Seoul forward first played the ball out to Jasur Khasanov, who quickly returned a pass to Djeparov and the 2008 AFC Player of the Year swept a fine left-footed strike beyond a static Al Khaldi.

Kuwait pressed in the closing stages and came twice close through Ahmad Ajab and Yousef Naser but they were unable to find a late equaliser.