Uzbekistan 2-1 Jordan
Doha: Uzbekistan qualified for the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history as Ulugbek Bakaev struck twice in three minutes to seal a 2-1 victory over Jordan at Khalifa Stadium.
Following a goalless first 45 minutes, Bakaev found the back of the net twice in quick succession just after the break to put Uzbekistan in control of the AFC Cup Qatar 2011 quarter-final encounter.
Skipper Bashar Bani Yaseen reduced the deficit in the 59th minute but a plucky Jordan side missing four regulars through injury and suspension were unable to conjure the second goal they needed to force extra time.
Following an even opening 20 minutes, the game sprang to life when Alexander Geynrikh let fly from 30 yards but his swerving effort was palmed out of the top corner by keeper Amer Shafi.
Ahmad Abdelhalim then almost caught out Ignatiy Nesterov at his near post with a free-kick from the left-hand side but the Uzbekistan keeper managed to push the midfielder's effort into the air and Sakhob Juraev hooked the ball away from under the bar.
Amer Deeb then chested Suliman Al Salman's cross into the path of Hasan Abdel Fattah on the half-hour mark but he lashed wide of the target before Uzbekistan almost took the lead on the stroke of half-time.
After Odil Akhmedov led an incisive counter-attack, Sanjar Tursunov whipped in a cross from the right that Geynrikh turned goalwards but Shafi was alert enough to push the ball away with a smart reflex save as the half ended goalless.
Vadim Abramov's side then took the lead almost immediately after the re-start. Server Djeparov floated a free-kick into the box and the Jordan defence stood and watched, allowing Bakaev to run free and glance the ball past Shafi.
It was 2-0 three minutes later as Geynrikh fed Jasur Khasanov on the left and his cross was swept home by Bakaev at the near post and leave Jordan stunned at the swift turnaround in their fortunes.
However, they hit back just before the hour mark. Abdelhalim's corner from the left was powerfully met by Ameer Deeb inside the six-yard box and although Nesterov did excellently to keep out his header, skipper Yaseen was on hand to tuck the ball into the net.
Jordan had their tails up and substitute keeper Temur Juraev had to get down low to push away Abdelhalim's strike moments after coming on for Nesterov.
Geynrikh was forced off with an apparent injury but Uzbekistan managed to draw the sting out of the game and contain the Jordanian threat while looking to feed Bakaev on the break.
Tursunov wasted a good opening with seven minutes to go when bore down on goal following a neat one-two with Azizbek Haydarov but fired wide and substitute Abdullah Deeb was off target at the other end as Uzbekistan completed a historic victory.
Following a goalless first 45 minutes, Bakaev found the back of the net twice in quick succession just after the break to put Uzbekistan in control of the AFC Cup Qatar 2011 quarter-final encounter.
Skipper Bashar Bani Yaseen reduced the deficit in the 59th minute but a plucky Jordan side missing four regulars through injury and suspension were unable to conjure the second goal they needed to force extra time.
Following an even opening 20 minutes, the game sprang to life when Alexander Geynrikh let fly from 30 yards but his swerving effort was palmed out of the top corner by keeper Amer Shafi.
Ahmad Abdelhalim then almost caught out Ignatiy Nesterov at his near post with a free-kick from the left-hand side but the Uzbekistan keeper managed to push the midfielder's effort into the air and Sakhob Juraev hooked the ball away from under the bar.
Amer Deeb then chested Suliman Al Salman's cross into the path of Hasan Abdel Fattah on the half-hour mark but he lashed wide of the target before Uzbekistan almost took the lead on the stroke of half-time.
After Odil Akhmedov led an incisive counter-attack, Sanjar Tursunov whipped in a cross from the right that Geynrikh turned goalwards but Shafi was alert enough to push the ball away with a smart reflex save as the half ended goalless.
Vadim Abramov's side then took the lead almost immediately after the re-start. Server Djeparov floated a free-kick into the box and the Jordan defence stood and watched, allowing Bakaev to run free and glance the ball past Shafi.
It was 2-0 three minutes later as Geynrikh fed Jasur Khasanov on the left and his cross was swept home by Bakaev at the near post and leave Jordan stunned at the swift turnaround in their fortunes.
However, they hit back just before the hour mark. Abdelhalim's corner from the left was powerfully met by Ameer Deeb inside the six-yard box and although Nesterov did excellently to keep out his header, skipper Yaseen was on hand to tuck the ball into the net.
Jordan had their tails up and substitute keeper Temur Juraev had to get down low to push away Abdelhalim's strike moments after coming on for Nesterov.
Geynrikh was forced off with an apparent injury but Uzbekistan managed to draw the sting out of the game and contain the Jordanian threat while looking to feed Bakaev on the break.
Tursunov wasted a good opening with seven minutes to go when bore down on goal following a neat one-two with Azizbek Haydarov but fired wide and substitute Abdullah Deeb was off target at the other end as Uzbekistan completed a historic victory.
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