Qatar soccer team suffered a heavy blow as Uzbekistan downed the host 1-0 in a convincing way in their second group match of the Asian Games at Al Sadd Stadium in Doha on Saturday.

 

Moscow Torpedo striker Alexander Geynrikh scored the winner on 66 minutes when he got a deflecting pass from midfielder Igor Taran inside the box and made a perfect slide-in.

 

The victory means Uzbekistan has got an advantageous position to advance to the next round with six points in hand.

 

Qatar were overshadowed by Uzbekistan's performance in the first half. Qatar had few chances to shoot on goal in front of a well-organized team and almost conceded two goals.

 

The guest team's captain Server Djeparov fired a close range shot over the crossbar after picking a fantastic through ball two minutes into the game. And keeper Mohamed Saqr made a crucial saveto deny substitute winger Igor Taran's small angle drive inside the box.

 

Uzbekistan dominated the second half as well. Geynrikh went close with a dipping free kick from 25 meters just a bit wide of the post. Timur Kapadze headed the ball against the post on 73 minutes.

 

Although the hosts brought on 18-year-old newly crowned "AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Player of the Year" in the 62rd minute and launched fierce attacks in the concluding stage, Uzbekistan finally withhold the pressure and got two effective counter attacks, only to find Marat Bikmaev's close range shot stopped by Mohamed Saqr and Timur's drive rake the bar.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2006)