Uzbekistan thrashes Taiwan 6-1 in Asian World Cup qualifier
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November 17Mirdjalal Kasimov scored a hat trick as Uzbekistan thrashed Taiwan 6-1 Wednesday in an Asian World Cup 2006 qualifying match.
Uzbekistan, which had already clinched a spot in the third round of qualifying with a 2-1 victory over Iraq in October, dominated the game at Pakhtakor stadium.
Five minutes into the game, striker Alexander Geynrikh opened scoring for Uzbekistan off a pass from defender Andrey Akopyants in the box. Six minutes later, team captain Kasimov headed in his first goal when Taiwan goalkeeper Lu Kon-chi pulled back Geynrikh's shot from close range.
Maksim Shatskikh converted a penalty kick after Akopyants was fouled in the box in the 17th minute and midfielder Leonid Koshelev connected Shatskikh's pass from the right to make it 4-0 by the 34th minute.
Kasimov lobbed the ball over Lu in the fading seconds before the interval.
The visitors seized the initiative early in the second half and Huang Wei-yi scored a consolation goal on a solo effort down the center in the 62nd minute.
Kasimov headed in his third goal of a pass from Shatskikh in the goal box in the 84th minute.
Uzbekistan finished atop Group 2 standings with 16 points after six games. Iraq stands second with 11 points, followed by Palestine with 7. Taiwan remained winless.
Eight group winners advance to the final round of regional qualifying. Japan, North Korea, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have also advanced.