Australia vs Uzbekistan score, result, highlights as Socceroos win AFC Asian Cup group after drab draw

Author Photo
Patrick Brischetto
and others
• 15 min read
Getty Images

Watch every match of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 only on Paramount+

WATCH

Australia secured top spot in Group B at the AFC Asian Cup, though their performance was once again concerning in their 1-1 draw against Uzbekistan.

Martin Boyle's controversial penalty helped the Socceroos head into the sheds with a 1-0 lead at halftime, but a 79th-minute equaliser from Azizbek Turgunboev ensured Australia would have to share the points with their opponents, who showed more promise despite also lacking a quality cutting edge going forward.

Australia vs Uzbekistan final score

  Score Goal scorers
Australia 1 Boyle 45+1'
Uzbekistan 1 Turgunboev 79'

The game began with the Socceroos once again showing difficulty in creating clear-cut chances and playing in a fluid style going forward, with the midfield lacking inspiration despite the inclusion of Riley McGree.

Australia did have the ball in the back of the net after 11 minutes through Kusini Yengi, but it was correctly chalked off for offside.

There were few chances of note until the first half of stoppage time, when VAR controversially instructed referee Yusuke Araki to give Australia a penalty after Odiljon Khamrobekov's arm made contact with the ball in the box. Pundits questioned what the defender could do in that situation.

The decision stood, and Boyle comfortably converted the penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way and giving Australia a precious halftime lead.

It failed to spark them into life and instead it was Uzbekistan who looked like scoring, with substitute Jaloliddin Masharipov being a bright spark. They had a goal of their own ruled out for offside, but they wouldn't be denied as the game entered its final stanza.

Masharipov found space on the left to put a dangerous delivery in the box, and Turgunboev was able to tower over Aziz Behich and slam a header past Mat Ryan at close range.

MORE: Who could Australia play in the Round of 16?

Australia vs Uzbekistan updates, highlights, and commentary

FULL TIME

It's all over at the Al Janoub Stadium, and whilst the Socceroos were pegged back late in the second half by a goal from substitute Azizbek Turgunboev, their 1-1 draw was enough for Australia to secure top spot in Group B. They were once again lacklusture and second best for much of the match, but led at half time thanks to a controversial handball penalty converted by Martin Boyle. It was a poor game quality wise on both sides in truth, with each side only having a shot on target, but both sides have secured their place at the knockout rounds.

90+5 minutes: Metcalfe has a long range attempt on the half volley, and it is fairly close though it whistles over the bar.

90+3 minutes: More late changes for Australia, as Marco Tilio replaces Jordan Bos, whilst Lewis Miller plays his first minutes of the tournament in place of Nathaniel Atkinson.

90th minute: There will be seven minutes of added time to end this one, still time for Uzbekistan to find a winner that would see them top the group.

88th minute: Some good work from Fornaroli and Bos allows Metcalfe to have a chance, but he is off balance and his shot is deflected wide.

84th minute: Sergeev sadly can't continue and has been stretchered off, he has been replaced by Jamshid Iskandarov.

83rd minute: Another delay in the game as substitute Sergeev has gone down with some sort of injury. Not ideal from Uzbekistan from a personnel and momentum point of view. Meanwhile, Australia make a double change with Aiden O'Neill and Bruno Fornaroli enter the fray for McGree and Baccus

79th minute: GOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!! UZBEKISTAN EQUALISE! It's the substitute Tugunbaev who leaps above Behich and gets on the end of a quality Masharipov cross and puts in a powerful header that gives Ryan no chance. Its hard to say its an undeserved goal, we're all level here.

72nd minute: Australia make their first change, with goalscorer Boyle making way for Connor Metcalfe.

70th minute: McGree puts in a late challenge on Sayfiev and goes into the book as a result.

64th minute: Uzbekistan make a double change, with Fayzullayev and Erkinov leave the pitch and are replaced by Igor Sergeev and Azizbek Turgunboev.

61st minute: The decision stands, the goal is disallowed.

60th minute: Uzbekistan score from a free-kick situation as Eshmuradov heads home from a good delivery, but the flag goes up for offside. It is under review.

51st minute: From the resulting free kick, Masharipov unleashes a strong effort at goal, and it is only just wide of the goal and had Ryan worried for a moment.

50th minute: Souttar goes into the book for a foul on Fayzullayev.

46th minute: Australia almost in straight away as Bos gets in behind and releases McGree in the box, but his shot is blocked.

46th minute: The second half is underway, can Australia hold on to the lead? Uzbekistan's change at half time has been Masharipov entering the field in place of Urunov.

HALF TIME: It looks as if Uzbekistan will make a half time change, with Jaloiddin Masharipov preparing to enter the field.

HALF TIME

Once again it has been far from a vintage performance from Australia, but they head into the break ahead by a solitary goal thanks to a Martin Boyle penalty in first-half stoppage time. It was certainly a controversial call, with there seemingly being little Kharmobekov could do in the situation. Uzbekistan were marginally the better side before that point, with Australia looking anaemic and lethargic going forward and a little loose defensively. Uzbekistan will need to come out more in the second half, which may suit the Socceroos.

45+8 minutes: Yengi dives acrobatically to get a header away, but he cannot direct it on target.

45+4 minutes: Irvine gets on the end of a corner and sidefoots a shot at goal, but it is deflected behind by Khamrobekov.

45+3 minutes: Srecko Katenac the Uzbek coach is furious with the call, sarcastically applauding the referee, he is asking what his defender is supposed to do with his arms when sliding, and I can't help but agree with him here... Meanwhile there are seven minutes of added time.

45+1 minutes: Martin Boyle steps up, AND SCORES! The winger makes no mistake from the spot and cooly sends the keeper the wrong way. It may not be a deserved goal, but it's a crucial one for the Socceroos as they take the lead on the cusp of half-time!

45th minute: It's a penalty! After review the referee points to the spot after the handball from Khamrobekov. It seems like a harsh call, but nothing Uzbekistan can do about it now.

44th minute: The referee is being called to the monitor, this could be given as a handball against Odijon Khamrobekov.

41st minute: Australia should be 1-0 up! Yengi shows brilliant footwork to dance away from multiple defenders in the box, he lays it off to McGree who is in acres of space, but the midfielder conspires to drag it wide. VAR is checking for a potential handball though...

37th minute: Uzbekistan having some chances, as Otabek Shukurov has a good shot in the box, but Souttar uses every inch of his big frame to block the shot. The Uzbek's looking more likely to troubling Mat Ryan at the moment.

36th minute: Another poor pass from Souttar is seized upon by Ashurmatov, but the central defender spurns the breakaway chance by choosing the wrong pass, allowing Ryan to pick out the loose ball.

27th minute: A VAR check sides with the referee, and from the resulting free-kick Riley McGree sends it well over the bar. A wasted chance for the Socceroos.

25th minute: Umar Eshmuradov takes out Boyle who threatens to get away, he receives a yellow card, but VAR is checking to see if it is a red card offence as the defender may have been the last man.

21st minute: Fayzullayev finds space in behind the Socceroos defence, but as he cuts inside and tries to shoot, he is halted by Kye Rowles

20th minute: The opening 20 minutes have followed the same pattern as Australia's previous games, with the Socceroos having more of the ball but unable to create any meaningful opportunities on goal.

15th minute: Just a reminder the other Group B match between Syria and India is being played at the same time; as it stands the game is also goalless.

11th minute: Yengi has the ball in the bak of the net, but the goal is chalked off instantly due to Boyle being in an offside position when he plays at the ball

9th minute: A hairy moment for Harry Souttar at the back, as his sloppy pass gives Oston Urunov a chance to break away, but Souttar instantly atones for his error with a perfectly timed sliding challenge in the box to snuff out the danger.

7th minute: Martin Boyle hangs up a dangerous cross for Kusini Yengi, but the striker can't reach the ball in the box as he was slightly flat-footed.

5th minute: Farruk Sayfiev has copped a stray elbow from a teammate, and the game is stopped briefly as he receives treatment.

KICK OFF

The final group match for Australia and Uzbekistan begin, will Australia hold on to top spot? Or will they be leapfrogged by a talented Uzbek side?

3 mins to kickoff: The anthems are done, kickoff is moments away!

6 mins to kickoff: The teams are in the tunnel, moments away from entering the cauldron of the Al Janoub Stadium.

10 mins to kickoff: The Socceroos preparing for the big game, a draw will be enough for them to secure top spot in the group.

30 mins to kickoff: The Al Janoub Stadium is one the Socceroos know well, as they played all three of their group matches at the 2022 World Cup here; it is also a happy place for them, as Mitch Duke and Matthew Leckie scored famous goals in 1-0 wins over Tunisia and Denmark to propel Australia to the Round of 16 for the first time in 12 years. Neither man is in the side tonight, but the Socceroos will be hoping someone can take the mantle with similar performances once again.

1hr to kickoff: Graham Arnold has made five changes to the side that defeated Syria, one of which is the enforced replacement of Mitch Duke due to injury with Kusini Yengi - who is making his first ever start for the Socceroos. Gethin Jones, Cameron Burgess, Aiden O'Neill, and Connor Metcalfe all drop out of the side. In their place come Nathaniel Atkinson, Kye Rowles, Riley McGree and Keanu Baccus, who returns after being dropped for the Syria game.

  • Socceroos confirmed starting lineup: Ryan (GK)— Atkinson, Souttar, Rowles, Behich — McGree, Baccus, Irvine — Boyle, Yengi, Bos

Uzbekistan have also altered their starting side, Zafarmurod Abdirahmatov, Rustamjon Ahurmatov, Khozhimat Erkinov, and Abdulla Abdullaev all coming into the side. Exciting attacker Abbosbek Fayzullayev is the starting striker, whilst goalscoring left back Sherzod Nasrulloev drops out of the side entirely.

  • Uzbekistan confirmed starting lineup: Yusupov (GK) — Abdirahmtov, Ashurmatov, Eshmuradov, Sayfiev — Urunov, Shukurov, Khamrobekov, Erkinov, Abdullaev — Fayzullayev

1hr 30 mins to kickoff: The two sides have a strong history at the Asian Cup, meeting twice in the knockout rounds in 2011 and also in 2019. On the first occasion, the Socceroos emerged big winners in a 6-0 thumping semifinal win. Their 2019 encounter was much closer, ending goalless after extra time and going to penalties, where Maty Ryan was the hero for Australia, making two saves to lead them to victory.

2 hours prior to kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting news' live coverage of the Group B clash at the Asian Cup between Australia and Uzbekistan. The Socceroos may have already qualified for the Round of 16, but they aren't assured of top spot, and have been underwhelming in their opening games, as they have struggled to create clear cut opportunities against resolute defences. India and Syria may not have had the attacking quality to punish them, but an Uzbekistan side fresh off a 3-0 win will certainly punish another poor performance from Graham Arnold's men. It should be a closely contested match, can Australia finally get into gear before the knockout rounds begin?

Australia vs Uzbekistan lineups, team news

Despite their two wins, Australia’s performances have given coach Graham Arnold more questions than answers, as they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against compact defences.

Mitch Duke has been ruled out with a hamstring strain, so Bruno Fornaroli or Kusini Yengi will likely earn the starting spot up top.

Should he be fit enough, midfielder Riley McGree should be inserted into the starting lineup due to his impact off the bench in the opening games, whilst Gethin Jones could be fearing for his place in the starting side after his performances at the tournament so far.

As for Uzbekistan, 20-year-old attacking midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullayev announced himself to the continent in his country’s 3-0 win over India as he pulled the strings with a goal and an all-round eye-catching performance.

Sherzod Nasrulloev also impressed from left back as he also got on the scoresheet; Srecko Katenec is likely to keep a settled starting side ahead of what is their toughest match at the tournament to date.

Watch every match of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 only on Paramount+

How to watch Asian Cup: TV channel, live stream

Australia: Paramount+ will provide streaming services for the tournament and 10 Play will broadcast Australia's matches.

India: Streaming service FanCode is the place to go for AFC Asian Cup matches.

USA: AFC Asian Cup matches will be available for live streaming via Paramount+ and Fubo.

UK: Asian Cup matches will be shown on subscription streaming service TrillerTV.

Watch every match of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 only on Paramount+
Author(s)
Patrick Brischetto Photo
Patrick Brischetto

Patrick is a freelance journalist who is currently based in Sydney, and primarily covers football for The Sporting News.