Asian Cup: Uzbekistan 2 Kuwait 1

Uzbekistan all but booked their place in the knockout phase of the Asian Cup on Wednesday courtesy of a 2-1 win over Kuwait.

Needing a win after their 2-0 loss to China in their first Group A match, Kuwait started brightly at the Al-Gharafa Stadium.

A lightning-fast run from Fahad Al Enezi inside the first minute forced Uzbekistan goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov to smother his effort on the edge of the area.

Uzbekistan seemed to be having trouble coping with the speed of Kuwait’s wide men, and Yaqoub Abdullah created another chance shortly after Fahad’s when he raced to the by-line to cut back a ball for Waleed Jumah, who blasted his shot wide.

Usbekistan soon settled, with central defender Odil Ahmedov wasting a golden opportunity on eight minutes when he found himself unmarked in the penalty area, but his header soared over the bar.

The pace and work rate of Fahad down the left channel and Waleed down the right ensured Uzbekistan had to remain vigilant, although Kuwait lacked a target in the middle and their crosses were dealt with easily by the Uzbek defence.

Against the run of play, Uzbekistan took the lead four minutes before half-time.

Aleksandr Geynrikh was felled on the edge of the box by Hussain Ali, and Maksim Shatskikh’s resulting free-kick was deflected off the back of his teammate Aziz Haydarov and past a helpless Nawaf Alkhaldi in the Kuwait goal.

Kuwait coach Goran Tufegdzic sent on Hamad Al Enezi for the second half, and the move paid almost instant dividends when he made a forceful run in the first minute before heading over the bar.

Four minutes later Hamad turned Anzur Ismailov beautifully and the defender’s clumsy challenge brought the striker down inside the area, with Kuwait captain Bader Al Mutwa coolly stroking the ball home from the penalty spot to level proceedings.

Uzbekistan coach Vadim Abramov pulled a tactical masterstroke of his own when he took goal-scorer Shatskikh off and replaced him with winger Jasur Hasanov, who immediately caused problems for the Kuwait defence.

Ten minutes after his inclusion, Hasanov picked out FC Seoul midfielder Server Djeparov, who lashed a spectacular first-time strike from long range past Nawaf in the Kuwait goal to restore Uzbekistan’s advantage.

With 10 minutes remaining, Kuwait substitute Mohammad Sanad could have equalised when he found himself clean through on goal but he could only fire his volley over the crossbar.

On 83 minutes, Yousef Al Sulaiman went close with an acrobatic effort and Fahad forced a brilliant diving save from Nesterov in the first minute of injury time as Kuwait threw everything at Uzbekistan.

But it was to no avail, as Uzbekistan moved clear at the top of Group A, while Kuwait are winless from their two matches.