Uzbekistan's blitz blows off Bahrain

By Amitabha Das Sharma

KOLKATA, JAN. 12. A strong urge of survival prompted Uzbekistan to a super charge that saw the former Asian champion put in five goals without a reply against Bahrain in the second group IV league match of the Sahara Cup football here at the Salt Lake Stadium on Friday.

The 0-2 loss against Japan on Wednesday appeared to have served the notice and the Uzbeks answered to the wake-up call aptly to log the first points in the tournament. Japan, which plays its second match against Chile on Saturday, enjoys the most comfortable position now with three points from one match and is followed by Uzbekistan which collected three points from today's win but has played a match extra. Bahrain drew blank while the fancied Chile is yet to play its first match.

Beginning as early as in the 14th minute, the Uzbek goal scoring continued as late as the injury time in the second session, underlining the team's authority on the match. The diminutive right-half Bahadir Annamatov set in motion the Uzbekistan scoring with a fine right-footed drive in the 14th minute. The second goal came in the 26th minute when

Uzbek was awarded penalty after forward Klikunov Aleksey was brought down by Bahrain defender Abdullah Marzooki inside the box. Zdhanov converted easily to go 2-0 up.

Oybek Usmankhodjaev, the other Uzbek striker, began the scoring in the second session, heading in a Annamatov centre in the 52nd minute. Annamatov found the target again in the 66th minute capitalising on a midfield lob that he finished with a header on the half-volley. Usmankhodjaev found the net again for his second goal to round off the scoring for Uzbekistan.

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Section  : Sport
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