Uzbekistan prevail 4-2 in the Futsalroos' second Group C clash for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™
The starting five resulted in one change from Miles Downie, with goalscorer Ethan De Melo getting the nod ahead of Jordan Guerreiro. Lynch, Cox and Giovenali started, with Feliech retaining his place in between the sticks after his spirited yet overloaded performance against Japan.
From the outset, the Uzbekistan team asked questions. Goalkeeper Abbos Elmurodov caused offensive headaches for the Futsalroos by pushing higher up the court with possession at his feet.
Australia fired a quick-fire double in the eighth minute, rocking their opponents. Jyden Harb was played in behind by Ethan De Melo, who scored from the left side of the Australian offensive flank, with his effort hitting the bottom right corner.
Moments after Uzbekistan kicked off, they were dispossessed by a firm Futsalroo press. De Melo latched on to the loose ball, which he squared into the path of Dominic Cox. A backtracking Akhaddjonov inadvertently put the ball in his own net to make it 2-0.
Following their issued timeout break, Uzbekistan opened their competition goal account courtesy of Rakhmatov, who timed his entry inside the attacking semicircle perfectly, prodding home an effort from close range.
Shortly after, Ropiev, situated on the right flank, side-footed a volley into the bottom left corner of Feliech’s net from a side ball on the lateral wing.
Uzbekistan would then take the lead late in the first half. Captain Khamroev bundled in an opportunity following a skillful flick on by Samariddin Berkinov, who created the opportunity with his back turned to goal.
Match officials utilized video support technology to clear Khamroev of a red card in the final seconds of the first half, as he physically held Jyden Harb as he entered the Uzbekistan attacking semicircle.
Due to the clock running out, the Futsalroos weren’t granted the opportunity to strike from a free-kick opportunity.
In contrast to the frantic, high-scoring first half, both sides entered the second with a tactical, almost cautious approach.
Pressure mounted on both sides as the half matured, with the next goal crucial to the complexion of the contest — both determined yet calculating in finding that definitive goal.
Uzbekistan's fourth arrived with Akhaddjonov, who compensated for his earlier own goal by curling an effort into the top left corner, from inside the semicircle.
In the final two and a half minutes, the Australians resorted to a fifth man, with Guerreiro donning the fly keeper kit.
With 90 seconds to go, Wade Giovenali was sent off following a late 50/50 challenge, which was not overturned by match officials, who deemed Giovenali to have denied a goal-scoring opportunity.
Match Details
Australia: 2 (J. Harb 8’, Akhadjonov OG 8’)
Uzbekistan: 4 (Rakhmatov 9’, Ropiev 10’, Khamroev 18’, Akhadjonov 37’)
