Uzbekistan beats Kuwait 2-1 in Asian Cup

Uzbekistan beat Kuwait 2-1 in the Asian Cup on Wednesday to all but seal a place in the knockout round and end the Kuwaitis hopes of advancing.

Kuwait had the better chances in the Group A match Wednesday but it was the Uzbeks who took the lead when Alexander Geynrikh was brought down outside the area in the 41^st minute. Masim Shatskikh’s free kick deflected off Azizbek Haydarov into the net.

Kuwait tied it in the 48^th after Walied Ali was brought down in the area and Bader Al Mutwa slotted home the penalty. But Uzbekistan substitute Jasur Khasanov crossed to Server Djeparov for the winner in the 64^th. Kuwait had several chances to equalize, including substitute’s Ahmad Ajab’s point-blank shot in the 81^st that went over the net.