Uzbekistan survive late scare! ｜ Uzbekistan - Lebanon ｜ Highlights ｜ AFC U23 Asian Cup

Uzbekistan begin the tournament among the favorites for the title, having reached the final in both of the last two editions. They start their campaign by taking on debutants Lebanon, who were unbeaten in qualifying, but only edged through as one of the best placed runners up. Lebanon have it at the halfway mark, they'll send it back towards the keeper and Massoui's got to be on his toes there to come and get it. It breaks nicely for Uzbekistan. And Umayev didn't seize the chance when it sat up for him. He was well outside the box, but he should have hit the empty net from there. Big chance for Uzbekistan early on. Uzbekistan in the center. Saeed Nurulaev will move it forward and he'll play the 1-2 as well. Keeper gets behind the shot, but he can't get behind the rebound. Amirbek Saidov tucks home the opener for Uzbekistan, 24 minutes into the contest. Good movement and link up between Saeed Nurulaev and Umayev. And Saidov was there to take advantage in the end. Uzbekistan threatening again. Massoui claws away the cross. There's Bakramov, what can he do? Lays it back, shot blocked. Kamyamov slides in to get it down on the right hand side. And Saidov could only send it over. Incredible, it looked easier to score from that position. Lebanon off the hook there in a big way. The break is on for Uzbekistan after the Lebanon corner kick. Overlapping runs to the right. Ibrahimov is there. His cross is deflected and it squeezes through the keeper. Kaidulaev forcing it over the line for 2-0. And there's the breathing space they've been looking for. Uzbekistan firmly on top at the moment. They have the corner. Abdulaev on the far side and into the middle. And again, it's Saidov who can only hit the bar. Uzbekistan should be well clear in this game. Saidov could have a hat-trick by now. Good movement down by the touchline. Saidulaev flips one into the middle. It's only half cleared and it's fired back in with aplomb. Bakramov with a beauty of a finish. That could be Uzbekistan hope and try now at 3-0. Sadek down by the byline for Lebanon. What can he do from here? Cuts back to make room for the cross and it's a good cross too. Lebanon are on the board. Leonardo Shaheen there to turn home from close range. It's something at least, a lifeline maybe for Lebanon. It came from a delightful cross. Safwan standing over the free kick deep into stoppage time. Sends it over and Shaheen with a bullet header. He pulls another one back for Lebanon. It's surely going to be too little too late. Uzbekistan have let Lebanon back into the game here. Nothing wrong with Shaheen's header. Well, Lebanon kept the score more than respectable in the end, but it could have been a big, big win for Uzbekistan. They'll take the points anyway to get going in Group C. 3-2 Uzbekistan. The final score from Riyadh.