AsianCup2023 | Group B : Uzbekistan 0 - 0 Syria
Group B action as Uzbekistan face Syria.
Both sides will want the three points after Australia defeated India 2-0
in the other match in the group.
Uzbekistan have progressed from the group in the AFC Asian Cup
in each of the last five editions,
but they will have to do without their star striker,
Eldor Shomuradov, after injury ruled him out of the tournament.
Syria coach Hector Cuper is a former Uzbekistan boss.
He will be looking to Amar Ramadan to pull the strings in midfield
in an experimental line-up.
It's Syria with the first chance to swing the ball into the box
in the sixth minute here,
as Ibrahim Heza on the turn there just sends the ball wide.
An early one for the underdogs in this match.
Into the 10th minute and still Syria coming forward early doors
as Heza, again with a volley this time from range,
lifts it well over the bar in the end,
though not testing the keeper.
Uzbekistan with a lion's share of possession,
but Syria looking really well organised.
However, here comes Erkanov into the box
and he sends a low effort well wide of goal,
just pulling it there
as he was on the run into the penalty area.
Not too much action as the teams are cancelling each other out
as perhaps Amar Ramadan can produce something here
and he certainly does.
It was quick feet, plenty of power,
but not quite the direction that he was looking for.
Now Uzbekistan going down the other end on the right-hand side.
Erkanov just chopping it back
and now the cross towards Ezekiel Alham
and the side foot volley is well off target.
Should have done much, much better there leading back.
Half-time 0-0, a match with few chances,
but Syria will be the happier team going in at the break.
Coming up towards five minutes into the second period
as again the ball will come in from the right-hand side
for Uzbekistan.
A cushion pass to Shukarov in space.
He doesn't hit it cleanly and it goes well wide.
It's a good opportunity miss there
as Syria are frustrating the Uzbekistan outfit
by sitting deep in this game.
Uzbekistan coming forward again.
That's a neat flick from Uryanov to Vaisuliev,
but again not getting the shot on target at all.
Uzbekistan not testing the keeper at all.
Six minutes to go.
Uzbekistan getting desperate here now.
A long-ranger from Vaisuliev
and it's turned away by Ahmad Madaniyeh.
It's one you would possibly expect him to make really.
As we're now into stoppage time,
the ball will surely be delivered from the left.
In it comes for Sergeyev,
but no real power on the header.
That's an easy one for the Syrian goalkeeper.
That's at full time.
It's goalless between Uzbekistan and Syria.
Syria good value for the surprise point,
but frustration for Uzbekistan.
They face India next,
while Syria's next challenge is Australia.