Bangkok: A thrilling game on Monday saw Uzbekistan emerge as eventual 10-7 winners after extra-time to book their place in the last four of the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship 2017.
In a first-half overflowing with chances, Mongolia opened the scoring with goals in the seventh and eighth minutes to take a two-goal lead. Both sides converted further chances and the half ended with Aqbar Usmonov scoring his second of the night to make it 5-4 to Uzbekistan at the break.
The second-half was a much closer spectacle with both teams’ cautious approach creating fewer chances. A period of sustained pressure from Uzbekistan failed to add to the scoreline.
In the 33rd minute a Mongolia corner forced an own-goal from the Uzbekistan defence to draw Mongolia level at 5-5 and with five minutes of normal time remaining Mongolia’s Tsolmonbaatar made it 6-5. But there was to be further drama as Said Rizo Mirsharofov restored parity for the Uzbeks and forced the game into extra-time.
Uzbekistan’s Usmonov had gone into the game with 7 goals to his name in the tournament so far and he again proved to be prolific, taking his tally to 13 scoring four crucial goals in an inspired extra-time performance to seal a memorable victory for his country.
Uzbekistan will face Iraq in the semi-final on Wednesday
Uzbekistan: ERIKNOV 10’, USMONOV 10’, NISHNOV 11’, RIZAEV 12’, USMONOV 17’, MIRSHAROFOV 37’, USMONOV 47’, USMONOV 48’, USMONOV 49’, USMONOV 50’
Mongolia: TEMUUJIN 7’, BATTULGA 8’, BAT-ORGIL 11’, TSOLMONBAATAR 16’, RIZAEV 33' (OG), TSOLMONBAATAR 35’, YESUKHEI 46’
Photo: AFC
Source: the-afc.com