Agencies/Brisbane


Uzbekistan coach Mirdjalal Kasimov  has set his sights on victory over China to secure his side’s passage to the AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals for the fourth successive competition.
“We will have a very interesting game tomorrow (Wednesday) because both teams won their first match and it will be a very tough game for both of us,” Kasimov said on the eve of his team’s second Group B match at Brisbane Stadium. “But we are ready for this match and we are going to beat the Chinese team to qualify for the next stage.”
Added midfielder Odil Ahmedov, “I agree with the coach, it will be a very difficult game for both teams as there are no easy teams at the Asian Cup. All of them are very serious. But we will try to get the three points and take another step toward the next stage.”
Uzbekistan, who reached the semi-finals four years ago in Qatar, own the bragging rights against China, having beaten them twice and drawn once in three past Asian Cup meetings.
While the Uzbeks rolled to the final four at the last tournament, they were thumped 6-0 by Australia in the semis. A rematch could be in store if Uzbekistan join the hosts in the quarters, but Kasimov’s troops do not appear to be overly concerned about the prospect of exacting revenge.
“Our first concern is to qualify for the next stage and if we play Australia in the next stage, we’ll prepare for this match as usual,” Ahmedov said. “The previous loss happened four years ago; it’s history now. We’re ready to fight with all the teams here.”
Kasimov singled out China captain and Guangzhou Evergrande man Zheng Zhi and goalkeeper Wang Dalei - whose penalty-saving heroics lifted Alain Perrin’s side over Saudi Arabia on Saturday - as potential threats to Uzbekistan.
“I don’t usually like mentioning one or two players but watching the first game for China, I can say the number 10 was very good,” Kasimov said. “He’s an experienced player and I know him very well.
“The wingers for China are also very dangerous and of course, the goalkeeper was one of the best players on the pitch.”