Side with the Middle East referee? Nine beat eleven...Uzbekistan → Defeated Saudi Arabia 20...U17 Asian Cup Miraculous Win
Apr 21, 2025
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Uzbekistan beat Saudi Arabia, the host country that beat South Korea after Japan, and won the 2025 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-17 Asian Cup. Uzbekistan beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the final match against Saudi Arabia at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Taip, Saudi Arabia, on the 21st (Korea time).
Uzbekistan, which won the tournament for the first time in 2012, lifted its second career trophy in 13 years. Uzbekistan defeated North Korea 3-0 in the semifinals to reach the final.
Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, defeated Japan in the quarterfinals on the 13th and South Korea in the semifinals on the 17th with penalty kicks. He sought his third career championship in 37 years since 1988, but was frustrated at the top.
Uzbekistan was unlucky to have two players sent off in the first half alone. In the 40th minute of the first half, striker Nurvek Sarsenbayev received his first red card. In the process of falling tangle with Saudi Arabia's left fullback Adele Hibbacher, he touched the face with his right foot. The Qatari referee pulled out a red card to Sarsenbayev.
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The first half was 0-0. However, it was not easy to hold on to nine even though it was difficult for 10 players. In fact, the battle seemed to lean toward Saudi Arabia.
But Uzbekistan's fighting spirit was amazing. Uzbekistan took the lead in the 6th minute of the second half when Muhammad Kakimov scored a penalty kick obtained by Saudi Arabia's handball foul with a left footed shot.
Saudi Arabia's wave of attacks continued, but Uzbekistan rather scored an additional goal in the 25th minute of the second half. Sadridin Kasanov, who broke down the left side in a counterattack, dug to the left of the goal area and scored an additional goal with a right footed shot to sink Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia led 59-41 in ball possession and 27-12 in the number of shots, but failed to open the goal in the end. Uzbekistan's Asilbek Aliyev, who scored five goals in this tournament, was the top scorer, and Kasanov (four goals), who was responsible for additional goals in the final, was named the MVP.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
