Asian Cup: China 2 Uzbekistan 2

Uzbekistan booked their spot in the Asian Cup quarter-finals and ended China’s campaign with a 2-2 draw at Al Gharafa Stadium on Sunday.

Needing a point to secure their berth in the knockout stages for the third time, Vadim Abramov’s men encountered a determined Chinese side eager to attack from the outset in Doha.

Action swung from one end to the other as both sides looked to take a hold of the match in the early exchanges, Uzbekistan wasting the first opportunity after just two minutes when Maksim Shatskikh blasted over the bar.

In an indication that they were eager to take the game to their more fancied opponents, China went on the front foot and soon found themselves ahead courtesy of Yu Hui’s opener after six minutes.

The goal came after Yang Hao’s piercing delivery from a free kick on the by-line was met by Yu’s header at the near post, with Uzbekistan gloveman Ignatiy Nesterov only able to parry the shot into the back of his own net.

China continued to thrust forward and Zhao Xuri rattled the woodwork in the 21st minute with a piercing drive from the edge of the area.

But after soaking up the onslaught, Uzbekistan found their rhythm and began to patch together the fluent passing exchanges that have typified their Asian Cup campaign thus far.

And it was a slick through-ball that unravelled the Chinese defence as Server Djeparov slipped a pass to the on-rushing Odil Akhmedov whose right-footed effort swept past Yang Zhi for the equaliser on 30 minutes.

Gao Lin then brought out a superb save from Nesterov who dove at full stretch to tip the China forward’s effort over the bar just before the interval.

Uzbekistan forward Alexander Geynrikh gave his side the ideal start to the second half when he produced a scintillating strike to make it 2-1 in the 46th minute.

Given time and space deep in the Chinese half, Geynrikh thumped a fierce drive from 30 yards out that dipped beyond Yang’s desperate swipe and into the back of the net.

But if Geynrikh’s goal showcased the effectiveness of power and brunt, Hao Junmin’s equaliser oozed with precision and class as the China midfielder produced a sublime free kick to level the scores after 56 minutes.

It was yet another contender for goal of the tournament that sailed from the right-hand side of the penalty area into the top-left corner of the Uzbekistan goal, leaving Nesterov with no chance.

Undeterred by the stunning strike, Uzbekistan responded in convincing fashion as Djeparov and Victor Karpenko came close to restoring their advantage.

China pressed in the closing stages and came close when Gao Lin forced a good save from Nesterov, but they were unable to find a late winner.

The result sees Uzbekistan progress to the quarter-finals as Group D winners, with Qatar the other side to qualify from the group following their 3-0 triumph over Kuwait.