Uzbeks are U23 Asian champs, Qatar’s Almoez is top scorer

Substitute Andrey Sidorov struck in the final minute of extra-time tohelp Uzbekistan seal the AFC U23 Championship 2018 title with a narrow2-1 win over Vietnam yesterday.The striker was on hand to convert a Dostonbek Khamdamov corner with hisfirst touch of the game, after a 1-1 draw had forced the game into anadditional 30 minutes.While Uzbekistan’s victory saw them add to the AFC U-16 Championshiptitle they won in 2012, it also brought the curtain down on a remarkableVietnam campaign, one which will live long in the memory of theSoutheast Asian nation’s supporters.In decidedly wintry conditions at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Center,it was Uzbekistan who controlled the early proceedings, and they dulytook the lead on eight minutes when a poorly marked Rustamjon Ashurmatovheaded home Khamdamov’s outswinging corner.Uzbekistan continued to press after the breakthrough, as both a JavokhirSidikov header and Khamdamov’s effort from 20 yards forced Vietnamgoalkeeper Bui Tien Dung into smart saves.Despite struggling to fully impose themselves on the game, Vietnambriefly threatened to restore parity shortly after the half hour markwhen Pham Xuan Manh’s excellent cross narrowly eluded the onrushing PhanVanh 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 scorerChangzhou: 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’ssix games at the tournament, scoring twice against both host nationChina PR and Palestine as Qatar finished third.Losing finalist Nguyen Quang Hai from Vietnam finished second thanks tothe five goals he scored, while Qatar midfielder Akram Afif,Uzbekistan’s Jasurbek Yakshiboev, Korea Republic striker Lee Keun-ho andPalestine’s Oday Dabbagh tied for third with three goals apiece.