Uzbekistan edge Bangladesh in Asian Games

Bangladesh’s Asian Games hopes suffered a major setback on Thursday when they lost their second group match 3-0 to top seed Uzbekistan.

Vokhid Shodiev’s two goals in six minutes handed Uzbeks the control of the match in the first half at the Ansan Wa Stadium in Incheon.

Shodiev fired home the first when he found the ball inside the box reflected off the post in the 14th minute.

Six minutes later, he headed in his second.

Sardor Rashidov extended the lead in the 33rd minute when he volleyed in a free kick from Fozil Mosaev.

Bangladesh had succumbed to an identical defeat to Uzbekistan in the group phase of the previous Asiad in 2010.

The defeat left Bangladesh struggling for their quarter-finals berth at the third place of Group B with three points.

The Under-23 Booters must beat Hong Kong in their final group encounter to advance to the second round.

Uzbekistan are now the table toppers of the group with four points, while Hong Kong are second with the same number points but a lower goal difference.

In the other Group B match of the day, Hong Kong beat Afghanistan 2-1.