Football
Associated Press 9y

Rashidov brace help Uzbekistan beat Saudi Arabia 3-1 to seal QF spot

Midfielder Sardor Rashidov scored a goal in each half to give Uzbekistan a 3-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in Group B on Sunday to seal a spot in the Asian Cup quarterfinals.

Uzbekistan will face South Korea on Jan. 22 in the last eight stage after finishing second in the group behind China, who completed their third successive group win after a 2-1 triumph over already eliminated North Korea.

Uzbekistan took the lead after just 90 seconds when Rashidov stole the ball against the run of play just inside the Saudi Arabia half before beating three defenders and sliding a shot between the legs of Saudi goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah.

Saudi Arabia pushed relentlessly into the Uzbekistan half for no reward either side of half-time until Mohammed Al Sahlawi finally equalized from the penalty spot in the 60th minute when fellow striker Naif Hazazi was brought down by Vitaliy Denisov in the area.

Uzbekistan looked to have scored from a free-kick just two minutes later, but an apparent goal was called back after the referee ruled a Saudi defender was pulled down while standing in the wall.

Second half substitute Vokhid Shodiev restored the lead for Uzbekistan in the 71st minute when he leapt to meet a long Shavkatjon Mulladjanov cross and powerfully headed the ball inside the near post.

Rashidov claimed his second goal to put the win beyond doubt in the 79th minute when he gathered a long ball from Jasur Khasanov inside the area and outran the Saudi defence before firing the ball past Abdullah in the Saudi net.

Sun Ke scored in the first and 42nd minutes in Canberra to give China their first undefeated run through the group stage. North Korea's goal came through an own goal from Gao Lin in the 56th minute.

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