Sport - Afro-Asian Games   

Uzbekistan grabs full points

By Our Special Correspondent

India   2 Malaysia     0 
                                           
Uzbekistan 1 Burkina Faso 0
                                           
Zimbabwe   1 Iran         1

The second defeat meant Burkina Faso has nothing more to look forward to. However at the Lal Bahadur stadium, a fighting Iran held Zimbabwe to a draw and on paper can still aspire for a last four place at least on paper. For that it should expect Uzbekistan to earn a simple win over Zimbabwe and in turn it should beat Burkina Faso by a tall margin of over five goals. Not an easy task this.

Iran had a first minute reverse when Ronald Badza struck with a simple roll of the ball. That goal, a simple execution after Mashiri, as usual Zimbabwe's livewire, had set the path following his dodge past Mohsen Kiahi. He sent a stiff shot straight to goalkeeper Mosoud. The latter failed to collect neatly and the damage was done. Zimbabwe's ascendancy ended there as Iran waged a determined battle to prove its worth. Mohsen, Ahmad and Hassan Maleki struck a combination that made Zimbabwe back-pedal.

Goalkeeper Chenjerai Dube had several uncertain moments under the bar, in particular when the Iranian Ahmed was with ball. Once it was a chance block by his flailing right hand that saved the blushes but the trend was clearly going Iran's way. Nothing reflected Zimbabwe's frustration more than the fouls committed. The worst act came from David Sengu when he tripped Gholamin in the danger area to concede a penalty. Seyed Jalal converted the 56th minute opportunity.

There was another cry for penalty from the Iran players and the bench when Ahmed was nudged down by Matora later but referee Fareed Ali Mohd of UAE looked the other way. Suffice to say, Zimbabwe escaped and if Ahman sank on the turf in despair then there was enough reason. He more than once failed in the final moments for Iran through either overenthusiasm or poor control.

Almost similar was the scene in the other encounter with Burkina Faso fighting but showing no matching display in the finishes. Atleast three clear opportunities were wasted by Seydou, Ibrahim and Kinda Douda and that virtually buried the African country's chances. For Uzbekistan the 66nd minute header by Yaroslav was the turning point and then some goalkeeping by Nesterov Ignaty held the day. Indian Referee Suresh had a tough time and in the end had a clutch of yellow card bookings to show.

India in last four

With its second win in the three-team Group `A', host India stormed into the semifinals in style on Friday at the Lal Bahadur stadium.

Goals by Jatinder Bisht (49th) and I.M. Vijayan (62nd) made the day for the Indians as it now awaits the Group `B' runner up for the next outing on October 29.

For all this it was not an entirely pleasing outing considering the waywardness that marked the barren first half. The roll of the ball inspired Malaysia, which is not here with its main team but mostly juniors. Two early efforts to stun the Indian goal were enough indications that the visitor was thoroughly enjoying the proceedings. Twice the Indian goal had a close shave, Sangaram effecting a difficult collection of Mohd. Yahyah once and Thomba intercepting Hasmawai Hassan's goalbound shot later.

Once again star player Bhaichung Bhutia went goalless. The interest till the last was whether he would get into the scorers' list. It was a case of being so near yet so far. For, he did `score' once only to be caught off side. But undoubtedly he authored several close moments at the Malaysian end in the second session when the Indian approach regained the sharpness and the coordination.

Tomba had a great day, inspiring his colleagues and himself joining in the thick of action. It was his cross from far that Bisht back-headed to catch Malaysian goalkeeper Arsidi on the wrong foot. Later substitute Ajayan added spice and created the moment for the maestro Vijayan to list his second goal of the competition. And what a beauty it was, the ball curling in from a scoop, close to the box.

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