2 – 2
“Hu Hetao opens the scoring for China, finishing off a move assisted by Kuai Jiwen after a early corner was won.”
“Sardorbek Bakhromov levels for Uzbekistan right before half-time, just minutes after picking up a yellow card.”
“Wang Yudong restores China's lead early in the second half, capitalizing on a corner won minutes earlier.”
Pivotal“With China seemingly set to hold on, fresh substitute Shodiyor Shodiboev drags Uzbekistan level deep into stoppage time, completing a dramatic late comeback bid.”
Pivotal
China U23
Uzbekistan U23
China U23 looked the sharper side in a first half light on clear chances but heavy on set-piece pressure, with Hu Hetao converting a corner-induced opening before Sardorbek Bakhromov's free-kick-area strike leveled things just before the break. Wang Yudong's early second-half finish put China back in front and, statistically, they had done the hard work needed to see out the win. But Uzbekistan's overwhelming territorial control - 81 dangerous attacks compared to just 35 - eventually told, with Shodiyor Shodiboev squeezing in a stoppage-time equalizer after a flurry of late substitutions and fresh legs. China ultimately survived a tense shootout where misses from Mukhammadali Reimov and Shodiboev himself proved decisive, sending China through 4-3 on penalties despite being thoroughly outplayed on the ball for long stretches. The result keeps China's Asian Games campaign alive while Uzbekistan will rue a performance that deserved more than a penalty shootout exit.
How entertaining was this match?
Penalty goal! The score is now 3-2.
Penalty scored! The match is now tied at 2-2.
Penalty goal! Xiang Yuwang scores, making it 2-1.
Shodiyor ShodiboevPenalty miss! Shodiyor Shodiboev fails to convert, and the match remains 1-1.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Zhu Chenjie scores, making it 1-1.
Dilshod MurtozoevPenalty goal! Dilshod Murtozoev scores to make it 0-1.
Haofan LiuPenalty miss by Haofan Liu. The score remains 0-0.
Mukhammedali ReimovPenalty miss by Mukhammadali Reimov. The score remains 0-0.
Haofan LiuYellow CardYellow card issued to Haofan Liu.
Goal! Shodiyor Shodiboev scores, bringing the match to 2-2.
On comes Xiao Peng, off goes Xu Bin.
Oybek Urmonjonov comes on, replacing Mukhammadali Urinboev.
Corner awarded.
Nurlan Ibraimov is substituted off for Saidkhon Khamidov.
Mukhammadali Reimov is on, and Ollabergan Karimov is off.
On Shodiyor Shodiboev, Off Firdavs Abdurakhmonov.
Mutallep IminqariYellow CardYellow card for Mutallep Iminqari.
On Xiang Yuwang, off Wang Yudong.
Goal! Wang Yudong scores, making it 2-1.
Corner awarded.
First half ends with the score at 1-1.
assist: Ollobergan Karimov
Goal! Sardorbek Bakhromov scores, making it 1-1.
Sardorbek BakhromovYellow CardYellow card issued to Sardorbek Bakhromov.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Goal! The score is now 1-1.
Yiran HeYellow CardYiran He receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
assist: Jiwen Kuai
Goal! Hu Hetao scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Kuai Jiwen.
Corner awarded.
Kick-off has occurred!
China U23
China U23 wins on penalties
China U23 and Uzbekistan U23 both missed out on the Asian Games final after tough semifinal exits, and now meet at Toyota Stadium with only pride and the bronze medal at stake. Uzbekistan arrive with momentum and a tougher physical test behind them, while China will look to channel their semifinal disappointment into a battling third-place finish.
