Uzbekistan thrash Bangladesh to qualify for 2016 AFC Under-19 Championship

Uzbekistan colts have sealed a spot in the finals of AFC Under-19 Championship, shrugging off the Bangladesh Under-19 team in their last qualifiers match with a 4-0 rout.

The Uzbeks romped to the 2016 Bahrain edition of the competition by topping Group A with all points on offer.

Bangladesh are still in contention for a place in the tournament that has berths reserved for 10 group champions and five best runners-up teams from the Asian zone.

Hosts Bahrain will qualify automatically for the 16-team tournament.

The match got off to an electrifying start as Uzbekistan forward Ganjonov Begzod darted into the box from midfield and blazed in from the top right, only to be denied by the woodwork.

But Bangladesh's backline turned into a mess after the attack. That allowed the visitors to take the lead in the next minute through midfielder Doston Ibragimov who hit the target from close range.

The hosts came close to an equaliser in the counterattack but Mannaf Rabby fired wide.

Uzbekistan kept pressing high up the pitch in search of goals but could not get past Bangladesh goalkeeper Anisur Rahman who made a number of good saves in the first half.

The home team tried to take control of the midfield by replacing defender Md Emon with Biplo Ahamed in the 40th minute but they wasted another chance just before the break. 

Md Ibrahim swung in a corner towards Mashuk Mia Johnny, who broke free but failed to make contact with the head.

Anisur came to Bangladesh's rescue early in the second half, too, safely pouching and punching clear attacks from both sides.

Still just a goal down, Bangladesh let two more chances go begging in a space of two minutes. 

Ibrahim shot straight to the Uzbek keeper Khamroev Umidjon before Rabbi gave possession away with only the goalie to beat.

Bangladesh defence faltered again in the 61st minute as Ibragimov extended his team's lead to 2-0. His shot took a deflection and found the back of the net.

Uzbekistan, who are ranked 74 by Fifa, made it 3-0 10 minutes before injury time. 

Kodirkulov Sanja sent the ball through to Abdixolikov Bobir who shrugged off a defender and fired it past Anisur before Sukhpob Nurulloev scored the fourth in the injury time with a header.

Bangladesh started their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Sri Lanka before being held 1-1 by Bhutan youths. 

Uzbekistan earned nine points while Bangladesh finished second with four followed by Sri Lanka with three points.