Uzbeks qualify for Asian Cup as Thailand crash

Uzbekistan booked their place at the 2011 Asian Cup finals on Wednesday by beating Malaysia 3-1, while Japan crushed Hong Kong 4-0 to strengthen their chances of going through.

But Bryan Robson’s Thailand failed to capitalise on their 3-1 win over Singapore on Saturday, crashing to the same side 1-0 in Bangkok.

Anvar Gafurov and Bakhodir Nasimov scored either side of half-time for the Uzbeks before Baddrol Bakhtiar pulled a goal back for Malaysia with 20 minutes remaining.

But captain Timur Kapadze restored the advantage three minutes later as Uzbekistan recorded a third consecutive win to extinguish any hope an under-strength Malaysia had of reaching the finals in Qatar.

Uzbekistan join the host nation, AFC Challenge Cup winners India and the top three at the 2007 finals — South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia — in the showpiece event.

“We have qualified for the Asian Cup but now we will have to make sure that we complete the fixtures on a winning note,” said coach Mirdjalal Kasimov, who was not entirely happy.

“It was not a performance which was deserving of praise,” he added.

Syria’s 0-0 draw at home to Vietnam in Aleppo put them on the verge of making the finals. They now have 10 points in Group D and only a major upset will prevent them progressing.

China are favourites to join them, and they play Lebanon in Beijing on Sunday.

Asian powerhouse Japan remain firmly on course after they comfortably overcame a spirited Hong Kong.

A trademark left-footed free-kick from Espanyol’s midfield schemer Shunsuke Nakamura was the highlight of an easy win for the Blue Samurai against the whipping boys of group A at a half-full Hong Kong Stadium.

Japan broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion, Makoto Hasebe scoring with a cracker after 32 minutes from outside the box.

On 74 minutes the away side went two goals up, substitute Hisato Sato heading home unmarked. Nakamura grabbed the third before a fourth from the spot in injury time from Shinji Okazaki.

In Bangkok, a 37th minute strike by Aleksander Duric was enough to give Singapore an upset victory over Thailand as the Lions bounced back in style to keep their campaign alive.

The win saw them leapfrog their Southeast Asian neighbour to second in Group E, a point behind Iran who have played a game less.

Kuwait, meanwhile, ground out a 1-1 draw with Indonesia in Jakarta to put them level on seven points with Australia in Group B. Oman have four points and Indonesia three.

Later, Bahrain will look to bounce back from their disappointment at missing out on the World Cup when they take on Yemen at home.

Milan Macala’s side were devastated after their 1-0 loss to New Zealand in the Asia-Oceania World Cup play-off on Saturday which deprived them of a place in South Africa.

Bahrain though are well-placed to make the Asian Cup, with maximum points from two games so far.