U-20 FIFA World Cup: Uzbekistan qualifies for the round of 16

Players of the Uzbekistan team celebrate after the FIFA U-20 World Cup Group F match against Fiji. Photo / Getty Images

Uzbekistan 3
Fiji 0

Uzbekistan have qualified for the round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Fiji in Whangarei yesterday.

Uzbekistan needed several results to go their way to be certain of qualification, but their win and Germany's 5-1 thrashing of Honduras saw the Asian side go through in second place from Group F on goal difference.

Fiji were outclassed throughout the game, with Uzbekistan peppering their goal with 19 attempts in the first half alone, although only three could find the target as shots were sprayed off the post and crossbar with regularity. The Fijian defence was also called into action to make several last-gasp blocks to keep the score level at the break.

After 24 shot attempts, Uzbekistan's dominance finally paid dividends, with it taking a goalkeeping howler for the deadlock to be broken in the 62nd minute. A soft, looping header from Eldor Shomurodov went straight through the hands of Fijian custodian Misiwani Nairube.

A minute later it was 2-0, with Shomurodov playing in Zabikhillo Urinboev who fired in a shot Nairube could only get a hand to, the ball ricocheting home to seal Uzbekistan's passage into the knockout stage.

Mirjamol Kosimov provided a classy finish to the contest, with a fine strike into the bottom left of Nairube's goal to add a deserved third.

They now play Austria in the round of 16.