ABU DHABI, OCT 24: Favourites Uzbekistan continued their winning spree, thrashing Sri Lanka 6-0 and fancied United Arab Emirates got the better of Bangladesh 3-0 in the Asia Cup group three qualifiers at the Al Ain Stadium here last night. India, who went down 1-3 to UAE on Sunday, will take on Uzbekistan in their second match tonight.In their match against Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan shot into the lead in the third minute when striker Irismetov seized on Bazarov Bavshan's weak header to put his side one up. Two goals from Shirshov Nikolay and one from mid-fielder Davletov Fevzi saw them taking a virtually unassailabale 4-0 lead.
After the breather, Uzbekistan saw Sri Lankan goalkeeper Md Illyas dash recklessly out of his area to chase a loose ball in the 49th minute. This provided a good chance to Nikolay to score his team's fifth goal. The sixth goal was scored by Bazarov Bavshan in the dying moments of the game.
The UAE, coming into the event with a big reputation, were not very impressive in their outing against Bangladesh despite defeating them 3-0.
Midfielder Abdulrahim Jumaa scored the first goal for uae when he made optimum use of a pass from defender Abdulla Eissa in the fourth minute. The hosts replaced Adel Mattar with Fouad Khalil, who scored his team's second goal and third goals respectively.
In the points table, Uzbekistan now have 12 goals from two outings without having conceded any goal compared to UAE's six for and one against.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.