AsianCup2023 | Group B : Australia 1 - 1 Uzbekistan

Australia secured their ticket to the knockout stages on matchday two with a 1-0 win against Syria but will want to make sure they finish the group stage at the top of Group B with a result against Uzbekistan today. Katanech's side look set to join the Socceroos in the next round of the Asian Cup as they currently sit in second on four points but a win today will see them make top spot their own meaning there's still plenty to play for in the Algernon Stadium. Graham Arnold must do without striker Mitchell Duke who picked up a minor hamstring problem in Australia's 1-0 win over Syria. Kursini-Yengi starts up front. Uzbekistan are without the injured left-back Nazrulayev while Musharipov and Sergeyev both drop to the bench. Vaizulayev leads the line and attack with Gurunov and Erkinov also keeping their places in the side. Well over 40 minutes gone here, very little action in front of either goal, could this be the moment? Yes, finally see someone try and take a chance here, both teams extremely cautious, great work from Yengi there, lovely dribble, it could be a handball, it's the slightest of touches by Amirobikov, the number nine VAR stepping in and it's enough to point to the spot, a harsh call against Uzbekistan, a chance for Australia to take the lead and they do it through Martin Boyle, his seventh international goal just before half-time, Australia in goal cushion. Half not over yet though, into injury time now, another chance for the Socceroos, Martin Boyle with the delivery, Jackson Irvine on the volley, deflection takes it wide though, first half still not over, all of a sudden it's come to life though, it's one-way traffic, Australia pushing for a second here, shot from distance from Jordan Boss, just drags it wide, lovely pace and power, not quite the precision required though, eight minutes of stoppage time, Boss with the cross, Yengi with the header, leaning back slightly though, unable to find the target, difficult one for the young striker, lovely through ball there from Irvine to pick out Boss, Miley McCree in the middle, makes contact but can't find the target, it's a really good block, great defending from Uzbekistan there, a carved open pass from Irvine, free kick here for Uzbekistan, desperately looking for an equaliser, it's not a bad effort you know, Msharipov nearly finding that top corner, time ticking away, Uzbekistan, that equaliser to secure second place, great cross, great goal, fantastic header, Azizbek Turgunboev on the end of the Msharipov delivery, it's a towering header to level things up, final stages of the game here, but we still have a winner, Boss with a good ball in from that left side, chance here for Metcalfe, it's another great block, Boss doing ever so well to create the chance in the first place, but again good defending from Uzbekistan, so it ends with a goal and a point apiece between Australia and Uzbekistan which sees the Socorros finish the group stage in top spot with a seven point total, Uzbekistan right behind them in second place on five points, both go through to the knockout stages.