Uzbekistan 2-1 Thailand ( att : 18,691 ) - 2023 AFC Asian Cup

January 30, 2024

Following the first of the last 16 knock-out round matches in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup between Australia and Indonesia, the next knock-out game to be followed by these diaries was the encounter between Uzbekistan and Thailand.

Thailand Background

This was the 8^th time Thailand had qualified for the Asian Cup Finals, with their best performance being a third placed finish in 1972. At the start of the tournament they were 113^th in the FIFA rankings.

Thailand qualified for the finals after finishing runners-up in their group played in Uzbekistan, losing 0-2 to today’s opponents, but winning 3-0 against the Maldives and 2-0 against Sri Lanka.

In the Asian Cup Finals, Thailand finished runners-up in Group F, starting with a 2-0 victory over Kyrgyzstan, followed by 0-0 draws with Oman and Saudi Arabia. All three opponents were much higher in the FIFA rankings. Buriram United striker Supachai Chaidad ( 34 caps ) scored both the goals against Kyrgyzstan.

22 of their 26 man squad play their club football in Thailand, with their legionnaires being forward Suphanat Mueanta ( 16 caps ) who plays in Belgium for OH Leuven whilst his brother, midfielder Supachok Sarachat ( 31 caps ) is with Hokkaido Sapporo in Japan. Right-back Nicholas Mikelson ( 9 caps ) plays for OB in Denmark and centre-back Elias Dolah ( 15 caps ) is with Bali United in Indonesia. Interestingly, none of the overseas based players started in the draw with Saudi Arabia, presumably being rested for the knock-out game as Thailand were already assured of a place in the last 16.

Of the local based players, 5 are with 2022/23 champions Buriram United, three with runners-up Bangkok United, 4 with third placed FC Port and 3 with fourth placed Muangthong United. Four players were also from 2021/22 runners up BG Pathum United. All of these sides are based in the capital Bangkok, with the exception of Buriram, which is approximately 400km east of the capital, or a 5 to 6 hour journey by road from Bangkok.

Uzbekistan Background

With a current FIFA ranking of 68, Uzbekistan were the 9^th highest ranked side in the competition. As mentioned above they had qualified ahead of Thailand via a group played in Uzbekistan

Their progress to the last 16 had been via a 0-0 draw with Syria, a 3-0 victory over India, and a 1-1 draw with Australia to finish second in Group B. Uzbekistan’s coach is ex-Yugoslavia and Sampdoria Serie A winning midfielder Srecko Katanec, who is perhaps the greatest ever footballer produced by Slovenia. Uzbekistan’s nickname is the White Wolves.

These diaries have featured football in Uzbekistan on three occasions, with a review of the 2020 season, plus individual games in both the 2021 and 2022 season.

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2020/12/review-of-2020-uzbekistan-super-league.html 

These diaries noted that the outstanding player in the 2020 Uzbekistan Super League was Pakhtakor midfielder Jaloliddin Masharipov ( 53 caps ), who then left to join Al Nasr in Saudi Arabia. However, the arrival of a certain ageing Portuguese pretty-boy egomaniac in Saudi Arabia saw Masharipov forced to leave and join mid-table Greek side Panserraikos.

The other outstanding player in the 2020 Uzbek Super League was striker Igor Sergeev ( 72 caps ), who then moved from Pakhtakor to Kazakhstan, initially to Aktobe then Tobol, but now ironically has been spearheading BG Patham United’s unsuccessful AFC Champions League campaign.

Midfielder Jamshid Iskanderov ( 29 caps ) was mentioned in these diaries whilst with South Korean side Seongnam but is now back home with Navbahor Namangan. However, all three of these players only came off the bench against Australia.

Midfielder Otabek Shukurov ( 58 caps ) plays for Fatih Karagumruk in Turkey, whilst Khojimat Erkinov ( 23 caps ) is with Torpedo Moscow, and winger Abbosbek Fayzullaev ( 10 caps ) now plays for CSKA Moscow. Centre-back Rustam Ashurmatov ( 31 caps ) also plays in Russia, with Ruban Kazan. 19 year-old defender Abdukodir Khusanov plays in France for Lens, having earlier played in Belarus at Energetik BGU Minsk.

However, 16 of the squad were based in Uzbekistan, with champions Pakhtakor providing 6 players, 5 played for Nasaf, 4 were at Navbahor and one was with AGMK.

When the game between AGMK and Pakhtakor was featured in these diaries in 2022, six of the Pakhtaktor team that day were in the current Uzbekistan squad, namely defenders Alijonov and Sayfiyev, midfielders  Kholmatov, Khamrobekov and Turgunbaev plus forward Fayzullaev.

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2022/09/fc-agmk-0-2-pakhtakor-tashkent-fc-att.html 

Uzbekistan’s record goal-scorer Eldor Shomurodov ( 38 goals for 69 matches ) plays in Serie A for Cagliari on loan from Roma, but missed the Asian Cup through injury.

Matchday Information

The match was being played in the 44,325 capacity Al Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, which is home to Qatar Stars League side Al-Wakrah SC. Seven matches in the 2021 World Cup were played in the stadium, and this was the 5^th out of 6 scheduled to be played in this Asian Cup.

The weather at the 14.30 local time kick-off ( 11.30 UK ) was sunny and 24 degrees. Today, the roof was mostly covered and the air-conditioning inside the stadium was on !

 

Bet365.com, who live streamed the match, made Uzbekistan 11/20 favourites, with Thailand at 5/1 with the draw at 3/1.

Uzbekistan made four changes to their starting line-up against Australia, with Masharipov, Turgunboev, Kushanov and Kholmatov coming into the side. Shukurov and Sergeev were not even on the bench, through illness and injury respectively.

Thailand made 8 changes from their side that started against Saudi Arabia, where they rested some players having already been assured of a place in the last 16, and the referee was Nazmi Nasaruddin from Malaysia

Uzbekistan were in all white, whilst Thailand wore all blue, and a little confusingly nearly all the Thai players had their first names on the back of their shirts rather than their last names.

Highlights of matches in the AFC Asian Cup are available on www.the-afc.com as well as the AFC Asian Cup YouTube channel.

Match Report

Uzbekistan started at a high tempo, and with just over three minutes played Fayzullaev just failed to reach Kholmatov’s chip into the area when unmarked running through the centre of the Thailand defence.

Thailand’s first excursion into the Uzbekistan half saw Rungrath Phumichantuk’s cross blocked by Eshmurodov for a corner. The Uzbek defence saw the ball into their area off for another corner, and second time around, Dolah peeled away beyond the back post to create space for himself but could only head three or so feet wide of the post from about 10 yards out.

After 12 minutes Fayzullaev went down in a heap in the area after a challenge from Dolah when trying to reach Sayfiyev’s ball from the left, but the referee wasn’t impressed and play continued.

The first proper chance occurred in the 17^th minute when Urunov played a give and go with Masharipov on the 18 yard line to be put clear 8 yards from goal, but somehow he put his effort wide. Two minutes later, as several players stopped expecting a foul to be given on Khamrobekov just outside the Thai area, Urunov played on but shot narrowly high and wide, with the ball taking a slight deflection off a Thai defender for a corner.

The one-way traffic continued as with 21 minutes on the clock, Thailand frittered away possession outside their area and Masharipov’s low shot from 25 yards was pushed around the post by keeper Khammai. When the corner was partially cleared, Khamrobekov’s left footer from just inside the area went narrowly wide.

After 25 minutes, Masharipov’s astute pass released Sayfiyev on the left and the ball into the area found Uranov with his back to goal, and after twice twisting and turning inside the Thai area, Uranov could only eventually shoot straight at the Thai keeper. Shortly after, Kholmatov’s long range effort  was another regulation save for the Thai keeper.

At the other end, some neat first time passes required Kushanov to make a sliding tackle to prevent Phumichantuk getting a crossing in from the right-hand by-line.  Yusupov’s Superman dive to punch the corner completely missed the ball, but Uzbekistan were able to clear the danger.

Uzbekistan scored the opening goal in the 37^th minute. Kholmatov’s lovely ball into the area floated over the head of Bunmathan for Turgunboev to chest control and then volley left-footed from 8 yards past Khammai. A super goal and 1-0 to Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan continued to pour forward, and four minutes later Kholmatov curled a 20 yard effort just wide after being teed up by Fayzullaev. Masharipov then set up Fayzullaev but his left footed shot from the edge of the area went just wide.

At the half-time interval, Uzbekistan deserved led, having had 10 attempts on goal with 4 on target, compared to Thailand having just one off-target header. Uzbekistan’s fast passing and movement had impressed, whilst Thailand had looked neat in possession, but had posed next to no threat.

Thailand made two changes for the start of the second half, bringing on the brothers Muenta and Sarachat for Kanitsribampen and Charoenrattanapirom, no doubt much to the commentators’ relief !

The introduction of Sarachat almost had an immediate impact as his through ball found Phumichantuk in space, but after cutting back inside, his shot from the edge of the area was blocked by an Uzbek defender.

However, Uzbekistan were soon pressing again, and neat interplay between Urunov and Fayzullaev, ended with Urunov’s effort being deflected over for a corner.

There didn’t seem to be much danger as Sarachat ran from mid-way inside the Uzbek half and received a pass back from Chaided, but his hopeful 25+ yard curling attempt bounced under the diving Yusupov and into the corner of the net. To use the cliché, Yusupov would have been disappointed by his effort. 1-1 after 58 minutes.

Thailand attacked again almost immediately after the restart, but Muenta’s effort lacked power and Yusupov gratefully saved.

Parity didn’t last for long though. Masharipov’s short pass found Fayzullaev with his back to goal just outside the penalty area, but Hemviboon backed off and allowed him to take two touches, turn and then fire a low shot into the bottom corner. 2-1 to Uzbekistan with 64 minutes played.

Needing to score to stay in the competition, Thailand started to enjoy the majority of the possession, but made little headway against a solid Uzbekistan defence as the White Wolves seemed to content to sit back on hold onto what they had. Despite winning a couple of corners, Thailand were struggling to lay a glove on the Uzbeks, although Sarachat might have done better getting on the end of one corner, and Bunmathan’s left-wing cross was just too high for Chaidad.

The only yellow card of the game was shown in the 87^th minute when Kushanov was adjudged to have fouled Chaidad 30 yards out, when in fact the Thai striker was coming back from an offside position so the free-kick should have been the other way ! Apart from this though, the Malaysian referee had an excellent game, and allowed the game to flow as much as possible. The free-kick from Sarachat lacked power and Yusupov made an easy save.

In the second of seven added on minutes, Dolah rose the highest to meet Bunmathan’s free-kick from close to the left-hand touchline, but his header sailed a foot over the bar, and Yusupov appeared to have it covered.

In the 5^th minute of injury time, Erkinov ran most of the length of the field, but lost control of the ball inside the Thai penalty area. Khammai’s clearance was poor and went straight to Kholmatov, but after bringing the ball down the first-time effort from the Uzbek midfielder went a yard or so wide of the post.

At the final whistle, Uzbekistan had held on to achieve the victory their play over the whole game had merited. They now face hosts Qatar in the quarter final and will no doubt be wary of both the cynical play of the Qataris, and a tendency for the hosts to be on the end of some favourable decisions.

Thailand bowed out of the competition having given a good account of themselves, but ultimately lacked a cutting edge against higher ranked opposition.

Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcysVulcpz8

Uzbekistan : Yusupov – Kushanov, Eshmurodov, Ashurmatov - Turgunboev ( Abdurahmatov ), Khamrobekov, Kholmatov, Masharipov ( Iskanderov ), Sayfiyev – Urunov ( Erkinov ), Fayzullaev ( Boltaboev )

Thailand : Khammai – Mickelson, Dolah, Hemviboon, Bunmathan – Phumichantuk ( Promsrikaew ), Yooyen ( Chamratsamee ), Kanitsribampen ( Muenta ) , Pomphan ( Autra ), Charoenrattanapirom ( Sarachat ) - Chaided

 

Australia 4-0 Indonesia ( att : 7,863 ) - 2023 AFC Asian Cup

January 28, 2024

The 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar had now reached the last 16 knock-out round after the group stages, with the first tie being a match-up between Australia and Indonesia.

Indonesia Background

Although Indonesia had qualified for the Asian Cup Finals on 4 previous occasions, at 149 they were the lowest ranked team to have qualified for the 2023 edition. However, they had strengthened their squad with additions from their diaspora in Europe, and despite 1-3 defeats in their group to Iraq and Japan, a 1-0 victory over 95^th ranked Vietnam saw them reach the last 16 for the first time ever as one of the four best third placed sides.

16 of their 26 man squad play their club football in Indonesia, with 11 clubs represented and no side providing more than two players to the national squad. However, six of their legionnaires started their final group game against Japan, with another coming off the bench.

Right-back Sandy Walsh ( 4 caps ), who represented the Netherlands Under 19s before committing to Indonesia, plays in Belgium for KV Mechelen, and scored a late consolation in the defeat to Japan. Spanish born captain and centre-back Jordi Amat ( 16 caps ) played for Swansea City, Eupen, Espanyol and Real Betis and now plays for perennial Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim.

Dutch born Justin Hubner ( 6 caps ) plays for Wolves although he is yet to play for their first team, midfielder Marselino Ferdinan ( 20 caps ) plays for Belgian second division side Deinze, striker Rafael Struick ( 10 caps ) plays for Dutch side ADO Den Haag and left-back Pratama Arhan ( 42 caps ) has just joined South Korean side Suwon FC from Tokyo Verdy. Defender Elkan Baggott ( 42 caps ) is currently on loan at Cheltenham from Ipswich Town.

Indonesia hold a unique record as the country that has played the fewest matches in World Cup finals, when as Dutch East Indies, they were eliminated from the 1938 finals after playing just one game, a 0-6 loss to eventual finalists Hungary.

Perhaps more famous was their 1998 AFF Championship group match against Thailand, when with both sides already qualified, the winner would have to play hosts Vietnam in the semi-finals. An Indonesian defender deliberately kicked the ball into his net in the final minute despite two Thai forwards trying to stop him, to lose the game. Despite fines to both sides and a ban to the Indonesian player, Indonesia were rewarded with a semi-final against the “weaker” Singapore, but ironically went on to lose 1-2 !

Domestic football in Indonesia has also had its controversies, and in 2022, 135 people were killed and 583 were injured after a stadium crush and a pitch invasion following a home defeat for Malang based Arama in East Java against local rivals Persebaya Surabaya. It was the second deadliest catastrophe in the history of football worldwide.

As a result the start of the 2022/23 domestic season was initially behind closed doors but PSM Makassar, one of the few sides not based on Java, in the province of South Sulawesi finished the season as champions, 9 points ahead of runners-up Persija Jakarta.

Australia Background

Since their transfer from Oceania, Australia have been one of the powerhouses of Asian football, winning the Asian Cup in 2015 with current Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglu in charge, being runners-up in 2011, and qualifying for the last 5 World Cup finals.

In the 2023 World Cup Finals, after a heavy 1-4 loss to France in their opening fixture, 1-0 victories over Tunisia and Denmark saw Australia qualify for the knock-out rounds. However, they were edged out 1-2 by Argentina, eventual winners of the tournament.

With a current FIFA ranking of 25, Australia were the 4^th highest ranked nation at the start of the competition, and so theoretical should have been expected to reach the semi-finals of the Asian Cup.

Their progress to the last 16 had been via routine wins over India ( 2-0 ) and Syria ( 1-1 ), followed by a 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan.

With only 4 of the Socceroos squad playing for sides in the Australia A-League, and two of them being back-up goal-keepers, the A-League season continued as normal during the Asian Cup. However, unlike in the past when the Australian squad members played in the highest leagues in Europe, 6 plied their trade in the second level Championship in England, 5 played in Scotland, three played in Bundesliga 2, whilst the rest played in the Netherlands, Belgium, Japan, Norway and Saudi Arabia.

The captain of the side was mask wearing ex-Brighton goalkeeper Matt Ryan ( 89 caps ), who now plays for FC Utrecht, whilst St Pauli midfielder Jackson Irvine had 63 caps. Ex-Dundee United, PSV Eindhoven and Bursaspor left-back Aziz Behlich ( 57 caps ) is now playing back in Australia with Melbourne City. Ryan and Behlich were the only survivors from the 2015 triumph.

Matchday Information

The match was being played in the 15,000 capacity Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Al Rayyan, home to Qatar record title holders Al-Sadd.

The weather at the 14.30 local time kick-off ( 11.30 UK ) was sunny and 25 degrees.

Bet365.com, who live streamed the match, made Australia 1/4 favourites, with Indonesia at 12/1 with the draw at 19/4.

Indonesia made three changes to the starting line-up against Japan, with Baggott, Asnawi Mangkualam ( Port FC in Thailand ) and Shayne Pattynama ( Viking in Norway ) coming in, meaning only two of the side, keeper Ernando Ari and forward Yakob Sayuri played for Indonesian clubs. 6 of the side were 21 years old or younger.

Australia made two changes from their side that started against Uzbekistan, with Bolton Wanderers’ Gethin Jones coming in at right-back whilst Melbourne Victory’s Uruguayan born striker Bruno Fornaroli was selected to play as the centre-forward. This meant that the Aussies also had two home based players starting, with three playing in Scotland and three in the English Football League.

The referee was Mohammed Abdulla Hassan from the UAE,

Indonesia were in an all red kit, with Australia in their familiar gold shirts, green shorts and white socks.

Highlights of matches in the AFC Asian Cup are available of www.the-afc.com as well as the AFC Asian Cup YouTube channel.

Match Report

Although Australia had the first attack, when Irvine hesitated when clear on the left and then crossed poorly towards the far post, it was Indonesia who made a confident, vibrant start. In the 6^th  minute, Struick got ahead of his marker to flick a left-wing cross over the bar at the near post, and it was against the run of play when they conceded the first goal of the game.

Irvine went past a flimsy tackle to run into the Indonesian penalty area wide on the right, and his shot took a deflection of Baggott. Keeper Ari was wrong-footed and could only push the ball into the net at his near post. The goal was initially credited to Irvine but was subsequently given as an own goal to Baggott, which looked a little harsh. In any case it was 1-0 to Australia after 11 minutes.

Bos then skipped past Mangkualam on the left-wing and his ball into the middle found Fornaroli with has back to the goal. Mangkualam had managed to recover and took the ball off the Aussie centre-forward and got a kick for his troubles, and Fornaroli was unlucky to receive a yellow card.

Australia were getting plenty of joy on their left-hand side and Behlich beat three defenders, but after much promise his cross came to nothing.

For Indonesia, Struick made a strong run down the left but after attempting to turn back, lost control and eventually fouled Irvine. With 23 minutes played Indonesia had their first shot on target when Hubner sent a 25 yard curling effort straight at Ryan, who made a routine catch.

Play then became scrappy with very little happening apart from a yellow card to Mangkualam. The torpor finished with a good Indonesian move in the 38^th minute, when Struick found Ferdinan in space on the right, who played a first time cross to the far post. Sayuri arrived beyond the far post but could only volley the difficult chance left footed into the stand.

Indonesia fashioned another nice move two minutes later as Mangkualam’s through pass was touched on by Walsh but Ferdinan blazed over the bar from 20 yards.

The two half chances for Indonesia seemed to wake up the Aussies, as first Irvine got to the by-line but no-one was on the end of his cross, after which Souttar headed a cross back to McGree, but again ,no-one was on hand to finish a cute chip across goal.

Hibernians’ Martin Boyle must have been taking notes as when Jones then played a lovely ball across the goalmouth from the right, Boyle stole in unnoticed to send a diving header from 6 yards inside the far post. 2-0 after 44 minutes.

Indonesia tried to hit back, but Mangkualam couldn’t get to a left-wing cross, then after Pattynama did well to stop the ball going out of play, another ball in from the left was stabbed away by an Australian defender.

At the interval, Australia had scored from their only two shots, whilst Indonesia had only managed one on target from 5 attempts.

The opening 15 minutes of the second half were insipid as Indonesia dominated possession but posed no threat to a solid, well-organised, physically strong Soccoroo defence as Australia seemed content to hold onto their two goal lead.

Substitute Sulaeman suffered a head injury after a challenge with Rowles, with the referee correctly ruling there was no foul, just an unfortunate coming together, and restarted the game with a drop-ball. Almost immediately Struick fouled Jones, who unwisely stuck out a leg in retaliation to trip-up the Indonesian forward. After a bit of a melee, the referee produced a yellow card for Jones, when it might have been a straight red. It was a needless risk to take, and Australian coach Graham Arnold took Jones off shortly after.

Walsh then joined the list of bad boys, bringing down Bos who was running at the retreating Indonesian back-line after picking up a loose pass inside his own half.

In the 72^nd minute Australian won a corner, the first attacking action in the half, and followed up with two more ! One of these was punched away by Ari under pressure from Souttar, then 6 minutes later Indonesia won a corner. Ryan punched this one safely away.

After 35 minutes of second half nothing, Australia created a good chance. A glorious ball down the right-hand channel by Boyle put substitute Duke clear, but the attempted chip over the advancing keeper, also went over the bar.

As Indonesia tired, Australia finished strongly. Atkinson fired a low 25 yard effort a foot or two wide, then a lovely turn by Boyle close to the touch-line just inside his own half gave him the space to run at the Indonesian goal until being brought down by Jenner ten yards outside the penalty area. After the free-kick was played out wide, the cross into the 6 yard box was punched away by Ari.

With two minutes remaining, Atkinson went on an overlap and his cross from the right found Irvine unmarked in the central of the goal, 10 yards out. Ari made a decent save to the header, but Craig Goodwin was free to put the rebound into the empty net with his left foot. 3-0 after 88 minutes.

To add salt into Indonesian wounds, they conceded another in added on time. Goodwin’s in-swinging free-kick was met by Souttar, whose headed flick from 6 yards gave Ari no chance, and remarkably it was an 11^th international goal in 26 appearances for the Leicester City centre-back. 4-0 after 91 minutes.

At the final whistle, the score flattered Australia and was harsh justice to Indonesia after a spirited performance against their much higher ranked opposition. However, after an effective and efficient performance, Australia fully deserved to progress to the quarter finals where they will face either South Korea or Saudi Arabia. Whilst it looks a tough tie for Australia, the Saudis and South Koreans probably won’t fancy facing the Aussies either !

Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6flNhLDK7dg

Australia : Ryan – Jones ( Atkinson ), Souttar, Rowles, Behlich – McGree ( Metcalfe ), Baccus ( Goodwin ), Irvine – Boyle, Fornaroli ( Duke ), Bos ( O’Neill )

Indonesia : Ari – Walsh, Amat, Baggott – Mangkualam ( Sulaeman ), Jenner, Hubner, Pattynama – Sayuri, Struick, Ferdinan