Hindu
October 23

Uzbekistan warded off a late charge by Iran to register a 1-0 victory while Zimbabwe routed Burkina Faso 4-1 in their Group B football league matches of the inaugural Afro-Asian Games at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium here today.

After a barren first half, Uzbekistan's Marat Bikmoev came up with a stunning 4-yard left footer to put his side in the lead in the 48th minute, which eventually saw them notch up crucial three points in the four-team group.

Playing under flood lights and on a slippery field, both the teams appeared evenly poised but could not score. Uzbekistan forward Alexander Geynrikh was impressive with his raids down the right flank.

However, Iran, who were very accommodating in playing their match despite arriving only in the morning, turned the tables soon after Uzbekistan shot into the lead and kept the rival defence on tenterhooks, resulting in several rough tacklings.

Uzbekistan's Shavkat Raimkulob was sent off in the 70th minute, having received his second yellow for rough tackling.

With the small gathering of spectators backing them, Iran kept raiding the rival goal and came close to finding the equal iser just 15 minutes before the end.

Hassan Ashjari's shot was saved by a sliding effort by defender Roostam Kadirov. Iran also earned two free kicks just out side the box, but could not convert them.

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