Uzbekistan power into AFC U23 Championship semi-finals in Thailand

The White Wolves booked their place in the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020.

Zayed Abdulla Alameri put the Emiratis in front in the 13th minute but goals from Ilkhomjon Alijanov, Islomjon Kobilov and Oybek Bozorov gave Uzbekistan a 3-1 lead at half time before Jasurbek Yakshiboev and Nurillo Tukhtasinov completed the win in the dying minutes of the match.

Zayed Abdulla Alameri latched on to Majid Ibrahim Salim’s arcing ball forward on the right before slamming a low shot beyond Nematov, with the ball crossing the line via the inside of the keeper’s right post.

The lead was to last just three minutes, however, as Uzbekistan levelled in style. Bozorov ran across the edge of the penalty area before laying off to Alijonov and his low drive flew beyond Al Shamsi.

Bozorov was brought down by Al Hamadi and referee Fu Ming pointed to the spot after consulting the Video Assistant Referee, allowing captain Kobilov to convert with a strike down the middle of Al Shamsi’s goal.

With the midfield nowhere to be seen, Bozorov had time to turn and stride towards goal before unleashing a dipping curling strike from more than 25 yards that left Al Shamsi watching in admiration as it flew beyond him.

After the restart, Yakshiboev saw his goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Saeed Ali Suwaidan and Alijonov hit the post before Yakshiboev finally slotted home the fourth with five minutes left and Tukhtasinov hit the fifth in injury time as the Uzbeks set up a semi-final meeting with Saudi Arabia.