Uzbekistan turned on the power in the second half to defeat Korea Republic 2-0 on to seal their place in the AFC U23 Asian Cup quarter-finals in Saudi Arabia. The 2018 champions finished top of Group C with seven points while Korea Republic also advanced as the runners-up despite the defeat after Islamic Republic of Iran\u2019s 1-0 loss to Lebanon in the other tie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both sides made changes from their Matchday Two line-ups with Uzbekistan giving starts to Mukhammedali Reimov and Abdugafur Haydarov in place of Saidumarkhon Saidnurullayev and Amirbek Saidov while Korea Republic went with Kim Dong-jin, Kim Do-hyun and Jeong Jae-sang instead of Lee Chan-ouk, Joung Ji-hun and Jung Seung-bae.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Korea Republic spurned a chance in the sixth minute when Kim Han-seo\u2019s corner delivery found Shin Min-ha at the back post, who teed up Kang Seong-jin for a shot that went sailing over the bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The closest Uzbekistan came to a goal in the first half was when Asilbek Jumaev\u2019s corner delivery hit the top of the crossbar and bounced out of play as the sides went into the break on level terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saidnurullayev and Saidov were sent on for the second half and out of nothing, Uzbekistan found the breakthrough three minutes after the restart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nurlan Ibraimov tried to dribble his way into the box from the right flank but was crowded out and lost possession but the ball rolled kindly into the path of Behruzjon Karimov who belted it past a stunned Hong Seong-min.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hong then kept his team in the game with a superb double save, denying Saidov from point-blank range before using his finger tip to divert Jumaev\u2019s follow-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Uzbekistan\u2019s quality, however, shone again in the 70th minute as they doubled their lead when Saidov controlled Saidkhon Khamidov\u2019s cross to set up Saidnurullayev to smash home, with the ball hitting the underside of the crossbar before settling in the back of the net.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Korea Republic nearly pulled a goal back in the 84th minute after goalkeeper Samandar Muratbaev was caught out of position but Seung-bae\u2019s strike was cleared on the line by Giyoskon Rizakulov as the Central Asian side claimed the impressive win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Leonardo Shahin scored from the spot to give Lebanon a 1-0 win over Iran in their concluding Group C match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lebanon\u2019s first win of their campaign dashed Iran\u2019s hopes of making the quarter-finals as the Central Asian side finished bottom of the standings on two points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lebanon settled first, with midfielder Ali El Fadl capitalising on an early mistake by the Iran defence but sending his attempt wide from outside the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran, however, gradually took control, with Hamidreza Zaruni curling his shot past the left post and Pouria Latififar, Yadegar Rostami and Mehdi Mahdavi all skying their efforts from distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The West Asian side had a fair share of the action, forcing Iran keeper Mohammed Khalifeh to save from Mahmoud Zbib in the 25th minute and Mohamad Safwan\u2019s looping shot from the left taking a deflection to land on the top of the netting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran\u2019s Farzin Moamelehgari came closest to ending the stalemate in the 38th minute when his point-blank header off a Zaruni corner crashed off the crossbar, bringing to an end a half that showed plenty of attacking intent but no goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Play continued at a fast pace after the break, with Lebanon breaking the goal drought after a handball by Reza Ghandipour 10 minutes in, with Shahin sending Mohammed Khalifeh the wrong way from the penalty spot for his fourth goal of the competition.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran almost replied in the 60th minute when MohammadHossein Sadeghi\u2019s cracker of a shot from 18 yards crashed off the underside of the crossbar while at the other end, Mohammed Khalifeh prevented Lebanon from going further ahead with a fine save from a close-range Ali Kassas header.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran sent on three pairs of fresh legs in search of the equaliser, and substitute Masoud Mohebbi would have thought he had secured it in the 83rd minute only for his goal to be ruled offside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lebanon keeper Shareef Azaki, standing in for Anthony Maasry, was kept busy in the closing minutes as Iran intensified their efforts, but poor finishing brought an end to their hopes of making the knockout stage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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