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Australia vs Uzbekistan |
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|---|---|---|
2019 Asian Cup Round of 16 |
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| Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain | ||
Australia |
Uzbekistan |
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0 (4) |
SCORE | 0 (2) |
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The Socceroos have scraped through to the Asian Cup quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Uzbekistan.
Goalkeeper Maty Ryan was the hero, saving two penalties, as Australia fought back to win the shootout 4-2 and stay alive in the tournament.
The two teams were locked at 0-0 after 120 minutes, with only a few clear-cut chances for each side in a drab and cautious game dominated by defence.
The Socceroos will now face either the UAE in their next match. They will go into the quarter-final without Tom Rogic after the midfielder received a contentious yellow card.
Uzbekistan bossed the first half against the slowly starting and cumbersome green and gold.
The White Wolves should have gone ahead in the ninth minute, when Eldor Shomurdov had a one on one with Ryan, but the Socceroo keeper made an excellent point-blank save.
They had the best opportunities of the first 45 minutes, with the Socceroos well off the pace and their passing often tepid.
The defending champions lifted their intensity after the interval and Rogic started to exert his influence.
Matthew Leckie was brought on in the 68th minute and then Chris Ikonomidis sent a header over the Uzbek goal.
Uzbekistan packed more defenders behind the ball as the match wore on, with the likes of Rogic and Leckie trying unsuccessfully to break the deadlock with strikes.
This continued into extra-time, the Socceroos pushing for a winner and the White Wolves seemingly intent to hold on for penalties.
They came with Australia winning the toss and captain Mark Milligan converting the first spot kick, followed by Otabek Shukurov.
Aziz Behich handed the advantage to the Uzbeks when he missed his attempt. But then Ryan brilliantly stopped Islom Tukhtakhodjaev first and then Ikromjon Alibaev’s shots to save the Socceroos’ bacon.
Robbie Kruse, Apostolos Giannou and finally Leckie duly converted their pressure penalties to keep Australia in the Asian Cup.
Final score
Socceroos 0 (4)
Uzbekistan 0 (2)
The Socceroos take on Uzbekistan in the round of 16 as their Asian Cup defences lifts in intensity. Will they stay alive in the tournament or bow out now? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 1am (AEDT).
Australia booked its showdown with the Uzbeks after the green and gold finished second in Group B, behind Jordan, and the White Wolves finished second in Group F, behind Japan.
Both teams move into the knockout stages with two wins a loss each to their name. Uzbekistan have been impressive so far, beating Oman 2-0 and Turkmenistan 4-0 before their close 2-1 loss to Japan.
They pushed Samurai Blue hard, taking a 1-0 lead in the first half, but Hajime Moriyasu’s men fought back to seal top spot.
Simarly, the Socceroos had to go to the well to knock off Syria 3-2. Only a late Tom Rogic thunderbolt ensured victory against the Qaisoun Eagles.
Australia are likely to welcome back Matt Leckie into contention, after the winger battled a hamstring complaint. Trent Sainsbury will also come back in after he missed the Syria match with suspension.
With the Socceroo defence looking somewhat shakey in their last match, this will be a welcome change. Impressive attackers Awer Mabil and Chris Ikonomidis are likely to keep their spots on each wing.
Uzbekistan are ranked 45 places below Australia, according to FIFA, but are a nation on the rise under veteran coach Hector Cuper.
The wily Argentine, who has only been in charge for five months, made his name in La Liga and Serie A with the likes of Valencia and Inter.
The Uzbeks have a number of dangerous players, including striker Eldor Shomurodov and skipper Odil Ahmedov.
Shomurodoz plays his club football in Russia, is 23 and has already scored four goals in this Asian Cup.
Ahmedov pulls the strings in midfield, is a smart operator and plys his trade in China with Shanghai SIPG.
Off the bench, the skillful forward Jaloliddin Marsharipov is one to watch out for.
Prediction
This is a step up in class of opponent from the likes of Syria and Jordan.
Uzbekistan are a national team building and growing, and remain dangerous, but the Socceroos are starting to hit their straps as well.
With Trent Sainsbury back, and Mabil and Ikonomidis hitting their grove, Australia should have enough to reach the quarter-finals.
Australia to win 2-1
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 1am AEDT.
Where: Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
When: 1.00am AEDT
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Australia $1.66, Draw $2.60, Uzbekistan $4
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