Asian Cup-2015 Qualifier. Uzbekistan 3-1 Vietnam

Uzbekistan were twice denied after having the ball in the back of the net in the first half as Mirdjalal Kasimov’s 2011 AFC Asian Cup finalists looked to hit back after beginning the campaign with a draw at home to Vietnam and defeat by the United Arab Emirates.

But Rashidov finally broke the deadlock midway through the second half after being introduced at half-time before Vietnam defender Au Van Hoan turned the ball into his own net to double Uzbekistan’s advantage.

The home side continued to dominate and after Djeparov’s free-kick was turned away by Thanh Binh after 18 minutes, both Ilhom Yunusov and Alexander Geynrikh shot just wide for Uzbekistan midway through the first half.

But Uzbekistan were finally rewarded eight minutes later as Rashidov beat Thanh Binh from just outside the penalty area.

And Uzbekistan were handed a second five minutes later as Vietnam defender Van Hoan turned Sanjar Tursunov’s cross into his own net.

Vietnam, though, set up a nervous final 14 minutes as Uzbekistan goalkeeper Suyunov could only parry Nguyen Anh Duc’s header and Trong Hoang was on hand to halve the deficit.

But after Suyunov came to Uzbekistan’s rescue by denying Trong Hoang with six minutes remaining, Jamshid Iskanderov found fellow substitute Sergeev and the striker sealed the win in stoppage time to leave Uzbekistan five points adrift of the UAE at the halfway stage of the qualifying campaign after handing Vietnam a third defeat in Group E.