Uzbekistan has continued victorious campaign in AFC U-20 Futsal Championship

Uzbekistan’s hopes of reaching the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship Quarter-Finals remain within their grasp after an 8-2 victory over Hong Kong on Thursday.

This win marks Uzbekistan’s second successive victory in two games and leaves Hong Kong needing to win their match against Qatar on Wednesday for a chance to qualify as Group C’s second-placed team.

Skipper Hamroev Ilhomjon opened the scoring for Uzbekistan in the ninth minute, before Usmonov Akbar doubled his side’s lead converting a penalty just a minute later. Hong Kong bounced back immediately with goals from Cheung Chak Wai and Liu Kin Po levelling the score in the 12th minute. However, Nishonov Khusniddin etched his name on the scoresheet, and Usmonov’s second goal gave Uzbekistan a two-goal advantage as the first-half drew to a close at Bangkok Arena.

Early second-half goals by Hamroev and Ismatullaev Ravshan afforded the Uzbek side further breathing space, before Rizaev Botirbek and Mukhammadiev scored their first goals of the tournament to help secure all three points for Jose Maria Pazos Mendez’s side, who now top Group C with a tally of six points.