Uzbek bashing for Bahrain

Uzbek bashing for Bahrain
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Kolkata, January 12: Uzbekistan exploited a sloppy defence to trounce Bahrain 5-0 in a group IV league match of the Sahara Millennium Soccer Cup at the Salt Lake stadium here on Friday. Medio Bahadir Annamatov and striker Oibek Usmankhodjaev pumped in two goals each, while upfronter Aleksey Zhdanov completed the tally with a deft strike, in the grossly lop-sided encounter.The Uzbeks, who went down 0-2 to a young Japanese side in the lung-opener two days ago, put up an improved performance, building up their attacks with square and short passes to fox their opponents. Bahrain, who have brought a rather young and inexperienced team for this tournament, were totally outplayed in all departments of the game against the Uzbeks who seemed quite determined to make amends for the reversal against Japan.

The Uzbeks enjoyed territorial advantage for most part of the proceedings and could have won by a bigger margin had their forwards not muffed a few gilt-edged opportunities that came their way.

Turning on the heat from the beginning, the Uzbeks shot into the lead in the 15th minute through a brilliant goal by medio Bahadir Annamatov who excelled today, taking much of the workload in the midfield.

The early goal spurred on the Uzbeks as they stepped up the pace of the game with a series of raids with their two strikers Oybek and Zhdanov combining well.The Bahrain defenders, who looked very tentative right through the match, allowed too much room for manouvering inside the box and paid a heavy price as they conceded goals with embarassing ease.

The second goal came as a gift for the Uzbeks as Bahrain defender Abdulla Marzooki tripped Aleksey Klikunov inside the box and Indian referee Binod Kumar Singh had no hesitation in pointing to the dreaded spot. Zhdanov converted the penalty without much fuss.

The scoreline became 3-0 in the 52nd minute, with Usmankhodjaev heading home following an incisive centre from Bahadir.In the 66th minute, Bahadir struck again heading home a Evgeny Zakutilin lob, with Abdulla out of position.A minute from the final whistle, a fast Uzbek counter attack saw Shukrat Mirkholdarshov essay a pass to Usmankhodjaev who scored with a deft left foot placement.

Bosnia beat bangladesh

KOCHI: Bosnia lived upto its reputation as the pre-match favourites and crushed Bangladesh 2-0 in a group I match here on Friday night. Medio Almedin Hota struck both the goals for the winners after a goalless first half in the 55th and 60th minute.

Bosnia dominated the entire proceedings of the match and Bangladesh were all at sea against the marauding strike force of Admir Adzem and Sead Seferovic.Bosnia could have won by a bigger margin but for the brilliant goalkeeping of Aminul Hoque who was at his best throughtout except for the two blemishes. After a goalless first half, Bosnia forge ahead through Hota who took full advantage of a cross by Mirzet Krupinac from the right flank.

Hota struck the second goal also with a sliding shot from a Mirsad Beslija pass which sealed the fate of the South Asian Federation champion.