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Uzbekistan into Asian Cup quarterfinals
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-07-23 10:04
Uzbekistan became the first side to reach the quarter-finals of the Asian
Cup, leaving three-time champions Saudi Arabia facing a crunch showdown with
rivals Iraq for a place in the last eight.
Uzbekistan's Andrey Akopyants (R)
is tackled by Saudi Arabia's Ahmed Al Dokhi during the first-half the
Asian Cup Finals Group C match in Chengdu, capital of China's
south-western Sichuan province, July 22, 2004.
[Reuters] | Uzbekistan defeated the Saudis 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Alexander
Geynrikh, the CSKA Moscow striker lashing home a fierce drive from 25 yards
after 12 minutes to settle a hard-fought Group C encounter.
The defeat means the Saudis -- finalists of every Asian Cup since playing in
the tournament for the first time in 1984 -- must beat Iraq to have a chance of
reaching the quarter-finals.
Uzbekistan's achievement in qualifying for the next round comes after a
disastrous campaign at the last Asian Cup in Lebanon which saw them thrashed 8-1
by Japan and 5-0 by Saudi Arabia during the group phase.
Saudi Arabia's coach Gerard Van der Lem, whose squad has been decimated by
injuries to seven key players, must rally his troops swiftly if he is avoid
becoming the 13th coach to be hired and fired by the Gulf nation since 1994.
But the Dutchman bristled at suggestions his job could be on the line from
his sack-happy paymasters at the Saudi Arabia Football Federation.
"I'm happy in my job. This is only the first match we have lost in 23 games,"
Van der Lem said. "If you want to blame me, that is up to you. I'm not a
magician."
Iraq, beaten 1-0 by the Uzbeks in their opening match, leapfrogged to second
in the standings after a nerve-jangling 3-2 victory over Turkmenistan in
Thursday's early game.
It was yet another white-knuckle ride from the Iraqis, who have overcome the
ravages of war in the past 12 months to qualify for both the Asian Cup and
Olympics.
"We were lucky to win today but we were also unlucky in our first match,"
said Iraq coach Adnan Hamd. "It was win or die for us today."
The frenzied finale saw three goals in the last 10 minutes, Iraq taking the
lead through captain Razzaq Farhan only to see Turkmenistan snatch an equaliser
before midfielder Qusay Munir headed in a dramatic winner.
Iraq's win was no less than they deserved after they dominated for long
periods against a Turkmenistan side that had surprised many by holding the
Saudis to a 2-2 draw on Sunday.
Midfielder Hawar Mohammed gave Iraq the lead after just 12 minutes, taking
advantage of slack marking to guide a firm header past Turkmenistan goalkeeper
Yevgeniy Naboychenko.
But within three minutes Turkmenistan had equalised. Begenchmuhammed Kuliyev
beat his man and burst down the right before arrowing a pinpoint cross onto the
stooping head of Vladimir Bayramov.
Iraq came out fighting after the break and took control of the contest after
Turkmenistan's Kamil Mingazov was sent off in the 60th minute for collecting two
yellow cards in the space of three minutes.
Turkmenistan managed to hold out but their resistance was broken in the 80th
minute. Ahmed Manajid's 25-yard strike cannonned off the crossbar and Razzaq was
on hand to nod home.
Turkmenistan fought back to equalise through a deflected Kuliyev free-kick
but Iraq were not to be denied. Hawar crossed and an unmarked Qusay glanced in
the winner.
Iraq's preparations were thrown into turmoil earlier this month when German
coach Bernd Stange quit on the eve of the tournament saying the worsening
security situation in the country made him fear for his life.
Stange had taken Iraq to the finals and the Olympics with the barest of
resources, with US forces using Baghdad's main football stadium to park tanks
and military vehicles and opponents refusing to play in the Iraqi capital.
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