Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDailu.com) -- Uzbekistan advanced to the semi-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 after defeating Iraq 3-2 on penalties with the pulsating last eight tie having ended 2-2 after extra-time on Saturday.

Uzbekistan proved to be the more composed side in the shootout, advancing to their third consecutive semi-finals despite having played for more than 105 minutes with 10 men. They will play either Japan or Korea Republic in the last four. 

In a battle between former champions, Uzbekistan and Iraq fielded their best available starting line-ups, but the hosts suffered a setback within the opening 13 minutes. 

After an extensive VAR review, goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov was shown a direct red card for violent misconduct on Hasan Raed Matrook in the box, with Iraqi captain Wakaa Ramadhan making no mistake from the spot as he sent substitute custodian Vladimir Nazarov the wrong way to open the scoring in the 19th minute. 

Despite being a man down, Uzbekistan pushed hard in search of the equaliser and almost drew level in the 25th minute when captain Jasurbek Jaloliddinov bent his free-kick around the Iraqi wall only for the ball to deflect off the crossbar. 

With the support of a packed Pakhtakor Stadium, Uzbekistan dominated much of the proceedings with Ulugbek Khoshimov having an opportunity in the 34th minute after collecting Jaloliddinov’s cross into the area, but was unable to get his half-volley effort on target. 

Uzbekistan kept pressing with Khusain Norchaev and Hojimat Erkinov drawing fine saves from Iraq goalkeeper Hasan Ahmed, and their persistence finally bore fruit in the third minute of first half added time when Erkinov was brought down in the area with Jaloliddinov confidently stepping up to convert the penalty. 

Boosted by having drawn level, Uzbekistan moved with confidence when the match resumed and got their second goal five minutes into the second half when Erkinov and Norchaev teamed up on a counter-attack, which ended with Iraq defender Hussein Ammar scoring into his own net in an attempt to block Norchaev’s pass into the box. 

Iraq, however, were not dismayed at going behind and substitute Ammar Ghaleb displayed brilliant skill less than four minutes after coming on when he surged down the left flank to collect Moamel Abdulridha’s through pass, before firing past Nazarov from an acute angle to level the scores in the 68th minute. 

Both sides then had chances to win in the remaining minutes of the second half but neither was able to find the finishing touch as the match headed into extra time. 

Despite the additional 30 minutes, a winning goal eluded both sides with the penalty shootout sending Uzbekistan into the semi-finals at the end of a fascinating match between two quality sides.