Uzbekistan U-23 football team reaches Asian Games semi-finals

The quarter-final match took place on September 25 in Nagoya, Japan. Ravshan Khaydarov's side opened the scoring as early as the 12th minute: after a free kick by Sardor Bakhromov and a save by the goalkeeper, defender Dilshod Murtazoev was the first to react to the rebound. The Uzbek side consolidated their lead towards the end of the match. In the 78th minute (the 79th minute, according to Gazeta.uz), Azizbek Tulkinbekov found the net, finishing off an attack following a run by Ruziboy Fayzullaev. Firdavs Abdurakhmonov put the final seal on the game in the 86th minute by heading the ball into the net.

According to match statistics, Uzbekistan trailed their opponents in ball possession (41% to 59%), but significantly outperformed Saudi Arabia in shot attempts, taking 19 shots to six, with 10 on target (compared to one for the opponent). The teams were level on corner kicks (4-4). Saudi footballers received three yellow cards, while the Uzbek players finished the match without any bookings.

The quarter-final victory marked the fourth consecutive win at the current Games for Ravshan Khaydarov's team. Earlier in the group stage, the national team defeated the Philippines (5-1), Kuwait (2-0), and Vietnam (2-0), taking first place with nine points and an overall goal difference of 9-1. In the semi-finals, Uzbekistan will face the winner of the encounter between Japan and the DPRK.