Australia top group, Uzbekistan, Syria also into Asian Cup last 16

DOHA – Being ruthless is next on the agenda for Australia after they made it to the Asian Cup round of 16, following a 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan in their Group B match on Jan 23.

The Uzbeks scored a late equaliser as they too moved into the knockout rounds. Syria joined the duo in the round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams after beating India 1-0.

The Socceroos were looking to win all three group games at the Asian Cup for the first time and took the lead through Martin Boyle’s controversial first-half penalty in Doha.

But Azizbek Turg’unboyev headed home in the 78th minute as the points were shared.

Australia won the group on seven points, ahead of Uzbekistan (five), Syria (four) and India (zero).

“Our main objective was to finish top of the group and thankfully we did that. It was a hard-fought draw,” said Boyle.

“I feel like we created a lot of chances today and could have put more away, but fair play to them – they stayed in the game and got their goal.

“We’ll have to look at the mistake that caused the goal and be defensively better.

“We wanted to keep another clean sheet and we know we need to be a bit more ruthless at the other end.

“The link play is good and we’re getting in the right areas. We just need to put the ball away.”

Australia thought they had taken the lead when Kusini Yengi headed home after 10 minutes, only for the strapping Portsmouth striker to be flagged offside.

Riley McGree was then guilty of a shocking miss five minutes before half-time with the goal at his mercy, after Yengi had danced his way through the Uzbekistan defence.

But Australia were given a reprieve when a VAR (video assistant referee) check judged that the ball had hit Uzbek midfielder Odiljon Xamrobekov’s hand in the build-up as he slid in to tackle Yengi.

Boyle dispatched the penalty low into the corner to send the Socceroos into half-time with the lead.

After the break, the Central Asians had a goal disallowed themselves when Umar Eshmurodov headed home from a free kick, only to be flagged for offside.

But they got their reward when substitute Turg’unboyev got on the end of a cross to nod in Uzbekistan’s equaliser.

It was the first goal Australia had conceded at the Asian Cup, following wins over India (2-0) and Syria (1-0).

“We didn’t do too bad,” said Yengi. “We wanted to win but we got a point and topped the group, so we’re content.

“I don’t really care who we face in the next round – we’ve got a great team and when we play at our best, we can beat anyone.”

McGree agreed, adding: “There are a lot of positives to take... Our aim was to top to the group, and we have. Whoever we play in the last 16, we have to beat them.”

Separately, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has said that Zion Suzuki has “the full support” of his squad at the Asian Cup after the goalkeeper was racially abused online.

The 21-year-old Suzuki, whose father is Ghanaian-American and mother Japanese, said he was abused on social media following Japan’s shock 2-1 loss to Iraq last week.

“Zion is an important player for Japan and I strongly object to the people who violated his human rights and racially abused him,” Moriyasu said ahead of the Samurai Blue’s game against Indonesia on Jan 24. AFP, REUTERS