Uzbekistan fall off the Great Wall of China | Match Review

Uzbekistan national team travelled to China to play their Asian Qualifiers match hoping a victory could be a present for the Uzbek nation, who are celebrating both Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Eid al-Adha. However, Samvel Babayan’s side failed to provide such a gift to Uzbeks as they received a 1-0 defeat from the hosts, while they have still a chance to get the direct ticket for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia since they have to beat South Korea at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Tuesday.

Both sides picked up disappointing results in the previous matchday of Asian Qualifiers before they faced in Wuhan, the Dragon Team being held to a 2-2 draw away to Syria, while the White Wolves went down 2-0 against Iran at the Azadi Stadium in June.

After Uzbekistan scored two goals in the successive match earlier against China in Tashkent, the Uzbeks hoped the scenario would be repeated again in the away match, which means that it doesn’t matter the Chinese team had been being coached by one of the best coaches in the world Marcello Lippi. Of course, China did not claim important victories like Uzbekistan, but Chinese fans wanted to see their team causing a threat in the final game of their heroes in this competition in front of the home crowd.

Samvel Babayan did some changes in the starting line-up of Uzbekistan against China, as goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov was thrown straight into the starting XI after the media and the fans blamed 46-year-old head coach on choosing inexperienced and fat keeper AleksandrLobanovfor their team. Unexpectedly, Sardor Rashidov was poisoned from food at the Intercontinental Hotel in Wuhan. So, his position was filled by Sardor Mirzaev, who backed to the senior team after a long period of time.

The defence was built up with centre-backs Anzur Ismailov and Egor Krimets, who had a solid knowledge about Chinese strikers, and left-back was strengthened with Vitaliy Denisov, who recovered from a knee injury sustained at the beginning of this season, and Islom Tukhtakhujaev moved to the right side, because Davron Khosimov was missing this match due to the yellow cards.

Youngster OtabekShukurov and the captain OdilAhmedov were selected to block the attacks as defensive midfielders behind playmaker Server Djeparov, while Igor Sergeev was again provided with a first start, even he couldn’t score a goal for his side in the previous eight matches. Strikers Eldor Shomurodov and Marat Bikmaev helped out the 24-year-old central forward.

Thursday's fixture represented the 14th time in which these two teams have faced each other in all competitions, averaging a combined 2.7 goals-per-match, with Uzbekistan claiming 7 victories in comparison to the 4 wins for China. The only two match was registered when they shared the points with a 2-2 draw in 2011 Asian Cup in Doha and a 1-1 draw in 1997 Nehru Gold Cup.

The match was started with a good spell of possession for the hosts early on, some changes made by Lippi’s guys so they showed a great performance for the red-dressed crowd at the Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium. First goal chance of the evening, and it fell the hosts' way. The Chinese striker broke up the visitors’ defence through left win to provide an opportunity, but wide unmarked from close range.

Also, Ignatiy Nesterov’s return might cost a huge for the visitors, while he slipped and made a mistake to receive the ball in his area, but fortunately, there was IslomTukhtakhujaev who reached the ball first. Uzbek footballers mentioned Wu Lei was the most threatening player for the Uzbek side since he had more of the ball in dangerous positions, but his strikes were blocked by Ignatiy Nesterov.

The Uzbeks begin to play some football later they earn a free-kick after VitaliyDenisov was stopped by Deng Hanwen with a foul. A decent free-kick delivery by OtabekShukurov into the box, which the defenders headed clear. The Reds, as expected, had pretty much all of the ball in these opening stages of the match by having the chance, but no goals.

Glorious chance for Zhang Xizhe to open the scoring at the Wuhan Sports Centre after receiving the ball from his teammate and crossed into the box. From a close range, the midfielder was favourite to score, but a brilliant save by IgnatiyNesterov put the sides at the level. The teams went to the dressing room with a goalless draw, while the statistics showed the 12-1 shots in the favour of China.

Marcelo Lippi decided to field two new players at the beginning of the second period. These decisions meant that a tall striker Xiao Zhi, who substituted Zhang Xizhe, had an opportunity to head the ball volleyed into the box as China tried to play with long passes by attacking through the wings which were enhanced by Zhao Xuri who replaced Yu Hanchao.

Before China fully applied their tactics, Uzbekistan had a goal chance, while a good cross into the box was dealt with by Marat Bikmaev after he claimed the ball away from the defender near the box. It was taken short to Igor Sergeev, but under pressure from the defenders, he could not make a proper shot from a very close range.

The Dragon Team was looking to catch out their opponents on the counter, while those dangerous set-piece crosses were through the only left side after VitaliyDenisov blocked all the attacks on the right side.

The second half was far more entertaining for Uzbek fans than the first, while the White Wolves had some goal chances. Great work from EldorShomurodov to get into the box, before looking up and picking out Server Djeparov, who failed to pick out the target from close range. EldorShomurodovdeveloped the match into an excellent game, as he appeared in the dangerous positions, once, his header was going to find the goal until Zeng Cheng tipped his attempt over the crossbar.

China earned a couple of big chances to open the scoring account in the evening. Zhao Xuri's shot powerful looked to be finding the back of the net, if not for a block from IgnatiyNesterov. Gao Lin reached the returned ball first, he was given the chance to cut inside and then put his foot through the ball, but the latest shot was well kept out by the keeper from very close range - the Uzbekistan’s keeper was winning that personal battle at the moment.

The travelling fans made plenty of noise at the moment, understandably, as left-footed Server Djeparov feared to shoot after received the ball in space on his left foot around just 5 yards on goal, there was only one thing in his mind, which was passing the ball to his teammate, instead of shooting and breaking the deadlock.

The key moment came with just five minutes to complete when AnzurIsmailov stopped Feng Xiaoting with a foul in his penalty box and referee Chrishantha Perera pointed to the 12-yard spot against Uzbekistan. Replays show that contact was minimal - and that it putting it kindly - but the decision went China's way. Spot-kick was given to Gao Lin who coolly converted the ball to the left-corner since Igantiy Nesterov found the direction, he was so late to keep his side from a goal.

In the remaining minutes, Uzbekistan tried to level the scoring to earn the only point ahead of the most decisive match against South Korea. But, it was Marcello Lippi’s army who managed to keep their victory until the referee brought the second period to a close with China beating Uzbekistan with a 1-0 victory.

What a shameful result for Uzbekistan, but Iran’s goalless draw with South Korea returned the hopes for the White Wolves, who can claim a direct ticket for World Cup if they manage to win over South Korea in front of the home crowd at the Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent.

Photos: Lagardère Sports