World NewsSaudi Thrash Uzbekistan |
SAUDI Arabia ensured they finished top of Group Four in the third round of World Cup qualifying after thrashing Uzbekistan 4-0 at King Fahad International Stadium on Sunday.
Abdoh Autef put Saudi Arabia ahead after six minutes and Malek Maaz doubled their advantage in the 37th minute.Saad Al Harthi scored the third in the 55th minute before Maaz completed the rout three minutes from time.
Despite the defeat Uzbekistan also progressed, having won all five of their previous games.
Saudi Arabia opened the scoring early in the game when Mohammed Al Shalhoub played a neat pass to Al Harthi, who then broke into the area before passing to the unmarked Autef to shoot into the empty net.
Uzbekistan should have levelled when Aziz Ibragimov headed powerfully wide, while two minutes later he shot into the side netting from inside the area.
Saudi Arabia doubled their advantage eight minutes before the break when Al Shalhoub sent a long pass from the back to Maaz, who evaded the defence before firing a shot beyond goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov.
Uzbekistan should have pulled a goal back four minutes after the break, but Ibragimov's shot was saved by Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mansour Al Najaei.
And they were punished further when the Saudis scored their third in the 55th minute, Al Shalhoub setting up Al Harthi, who beat Nesterov with a lob from inside the area.
The home side sealed the win with a fourth goal three minutes from time when Maaz picked up a pass inside the area before firing a powerful shot past the helpless Nesterov.
Copyright (c) 2008 Press Association
Have YOUR say - What do you think about "Saudi Thrash Uzbekistan"? Tell us NOW in the comment section below.
Have you got a scoop? Tell us about it and you could be the first to break the news on FourFourTwo.
