Qatar Football AssociationNational Teams | U-23
04.06.2022 22:18 in :

Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Qatar succumbed to a hefty 0-6 defeat to Uzbekistan on matchday Two of the AFC U-23 Cup played in front of 30,000 roaring local supporters at the Pakhtakor Central Stadium.

The defeat subsided Qatar to the bottom of group A; however, the Nicolas Cordova squad can still advance to the knockout stage if they beat Turkiminstan while remaining hopeful of an Uzbek favour who take on Iran in the final round of the group stage.

Uzbekistan’s ace Jasurbek Jaloliddinov sparked things for the home side within five minutes; the gifted playmaker darted through Qatari defences before unleashing a thunderbolt of a strike leaving the unsuspecting Qatar goalie Salah Zakaria static as the ball ricocheted off the bar into the net.

Inspired by the early lead, Ibrokhim Ibragimov and Dostonbek Tursunov soon after had their bids to double the deficit, but Zakaria was alert enough to stave off those attempts. However, the hosts managed to score a second through  Erkinov, who Abuabakr Ashorive set up before shimmying past two Qatari defenders on his way to cut to the goal-line prior to shooting to the right top corner of the goal.

Uzbekistan finished the half in stellar fashion, as Norchaev netted the third goal on 42 minutes courtesy of a simple tap in front of the wide-open net.

The Maroons began the second half on a more upbeat note; their intentions were manifested through a string of attempts but were halted by a vigilant Uzbek backline which impressed throughout the evening.

Norchaev and Khoshimov were a formidable pair, and the duo threatened at the hour-mark with Zakaria spilling Norchaev’s effort, with Khoshimov converting the loose ball with ease.

Norchaev was at the heart of the action again just three minutes later, this time forcing an error from Ayman to put Uzbekistan five goals up, before substitute Ruslanbek Jiyanov further punished Qatar with an incredible strike past Zakaria in the 67th minute.