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Uzbekistan down Jordan to reach Asian Cup semis

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-01-22 09:37

Uzbekistan's Ulugbek Bakaev (C) celebrates his second goal with team mates during their 2011 Asian Cup quarter-final soccer match against Jordan at Khalifa stadium in Doha January 21, 2011.  [Photo/Agencies]

DOHA - A shinning Uzbekistan side clinched a historic victory over dark horse Jordan 2-1 by veteran striker Ulugbek Bakaev's two second half quickfires to advance to the semifinals of the AFC Asian Cup on Friday.

It's the first time for the Uzbekis to enter the last four at the continent's showpiece soccer event since their debut in 1996, and they will meet either Australia or defending champions Iraq in the semifinal.

Japan's Masahiko Inoha (L) celebrates his goal next to team mate Shinji Okazaki during their 2011 Asian Cup quarter-final soccer match against Qatar at Al Gharafa stadium in Doha January 21, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Bakayev, who took place of an injured teammate several days before Uzbekistan's first game against  Qatar and never played a single minute in group stage, proved Vadim Abamov's decision right with a brace within three minutes in the second half.

He headed home playmaker Server Djeparov's accurate free kick in the 46 minute, before tapping in Jasur Khasanov's left flank center three minutes later.

A tenacious Jordan side pulled one back through a corner in the 58th minute. Central defender Bashar Bani Yaseen made a timely follow-up at the far post after Shadi Abu Hashhash's header was saved by Ignatiy Nesterov.

Uzbekistan coach Abramov changed the usual formation to 3-5-2, bringing on veteran striker Ulugbek Bakaev to pair major hitman Alexander Geynrikh up front. Jordan kept their 4-2-3-1 formation with Moayad Abu Keshek be the lonely striker.

The game started with high tempo and both teams were brave to attack. The Uzbekis took the upper hand in the first half with some domination in the midfielder. A lively Geynrikh blasted a thunderbolt from 30 meters to test the experienced keeper Amer Shafi in the 23 minute, before denied again by Shafi before the break with a threatening drove at the near post following a right- wing cross.

Jodan's best chance in the first period came in the 27th minute, when Ahmad Abdel Halim bent a powerful freekick to be parried by Nesterov.

Jordan coach Adnan Hamad sent on some attacking players and created several big opportunities in the second half, but an in- form Nesterov denied all their efforts.