QatarUzbekistan defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 in a tight match with many fierce collisions, in the quarterfinals of U23 Asia 2024.
The match between the two teams, at Khalifa International Stadium on the evening of April 26, is considered the early final of the final round. The two teams possess many technical players but do not create many beautiful coordination phases, instead there are fiery collisions.
The match opened with striker Abdullah Radif being stunned after a head collision with Uzbekistan defender, and needed nearly five minutes of medical care. In the first 20 minutes of the match, each team committed four fouls and failed to take any shots. The match was broken up by collisions and it was not until the 35th minute that there was the first strike, a free kick off the post from a distance of 26 meters by Aiman Yahya. In the 45th minute, Radif volleyed inside the penalty area but was blocked by goalkeeper Nematov with his foot.
Norchaev (white shirt) opened the score for Uzbekistan in the 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the 2024 U23 Asian quarterfinals. Photo: UFA
The turning point in the match came in the second minute of injury time with a poor clearance by Zakaria Hawsawi on the right wing. Jaloliddinov took advantage of the pass in the middle to Abbosbek Fayzullaev as a transition point, passing one touch into the penalty area. Despite being closely followed by Rayan Hamed, Husain Norchaev still bravely ran down and then dribbled past goalkeeper Mohammed Al Absi to score into an empty net to open the score.
In the second half, Saudi Arabia controlled the ball better but collisions were still a notable highlight. The representative of West Asia was stuck in finding a way into the goal. Uzbekistan faced difficulties again when they lost someone in the 70th minute. With a high foot challenge with Abdurauf Boriyev, Aiman Yahya received a second yellow card, meaning he had to leave the field with a red card.
In the 84th minute, Boriyev shot a long-range shot from outside the penalty area and the ball hit the ground in the right corner, making it impossible for Al Absi to catch it. Substitute Umarali Rahmonaliyev rushed in and headed in to double the gap. After that, the match had an additional 16 minutes of compensation, but with a tight squad, Uzbekistan did not let Saudi Arabia have a chance to reach the goal.
Uzbekistan successfully repaid its debt to Saudi Arabia after three losing matches at U23 Asia, including defeat in the 2022 final. The opponent became a former king, and Timur Kapadze and his team faced a great opportunity to participate in the Olympics for the first time. . Entering the semi-finals, Uzbekistan will face Indonesia – the team that defeated South Korea, on the evening of April 29.
Starting lineup
Saudi Arabia: Mohammed Al Absi, Meshal Sibyani, Mohammed Abu Al Shamat, Rayan Hamed, Zakaria Hawsawi, Haitham Asiri, Faisal Al Ghamdi, Eid Al Muwallad, Ahmed Al Ghamdi, Aiman Yahya, Abdullah Radif
Uzbekistan: Abduvohid Nematov, Alibek Davronov, Ibrokhimkhalil Yuldoshev, Muhammadqodir Hamraliev, Abdukodir Khusanov, Abdurauf Boriyev, Ruslanbek Jiyanov, Jasurbek Jaloliddinov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Diyor Holmatov, Husain Norchaev.
Hieu Luong
