Substitute Andrey Sidorov struck in the final minute of extra-time to
help Uzbekistan seal the AFC U23 Championship 2018 title with a narrow
2-1 win over Vietnam yesterday.
The striker was on hand to convert a Dostonbek Khamdamov corner with his
first touch of the game, after a 1-1 draw had forced the game into an
additional 30 minutes.
While Uzbekistan’s victory saw them add to the AFC U-16 Championship
title they won in 2012, it also brought the curtain down on a remarkable
Vietnam campaign, one which will live long in the memory of the
Southeast Asian nation’s supporters.
In decidedly wintry conditions at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Center,
it was Uzbekistan who controlled the early proceedings, and they duly
took the lead on eight minutes when a poorly marked Rustamjon Ashurmatov
headed home Khamdamov’s outswinging corner.
Uzbekistan continued to press after the breakthrough, as both a Javokhir
Sidikov header and Khamdamov’s effort from 20 yards forced Vietnam
goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung into smart saves.
Despite struggling to fully impose themselves on the game, Vietnam
briefly threatened to restore parity shortly after the half hour mark
when Pham Xuan Manh’s excellent cross narrowly eluded the onrushing Phan
Vanh Duc and Nguyen Quang Hai.
However, after seeing Azizjon Ganiev fire narrowly over, Vietnam drew level on the stroke of half-time.
Qatar’s Almoez is top scorer
Changzhou: Almoez Ali’s six goals saw the Qatar ace finish as top scorer at the AFC U23 Championship 2018.
The 21-year-old Al Duhail striker found the net in four of his country’s
six games at the tournament, scoring twice against both host nation
China PR and Palestine as Qatar finished third.
Losing finalist Nguyen Quang Hai from Vietnam finished second thanks to
the five goals he scored, while Qatar midfielder Akram Afif,
Uzbekistan’s Jasurbek Yakshiboev, Korea Republic striker Lee Keun-ho and
Palestine’s Oday Dabbagh tied for third with three goals apiece.
Almoez Ali
