FIFA Football: Uzbekistan upset Austria

As the late-afternoon shadows closed in on Northland Events Centre - and the door gently shut on Whangarei's recent spell of Fifa U-20 World Cup fixtures - so too did the World Cup dreams of Austria who were gracefully knocked out of the tournament, 2-0, by an elegant Uzbekistan outfit.

Both teams - fresh off recent wins - looked eager to start as they took to the pitch for the encounter, and it didn't take long for sparks to start flying.

Clear favourites to win, Austria threw plenty at Uzbekistan in the first half.

But they got their fair share thrown back at them.

Plenty of unsuccessful attempts at goal proved costly for both sides, with the halftime score level at nil all.

As both teams walked off the pitch into the changing sheds, the faces of the players remained blank - a fair reflection of the score sheet.

What wasn't plain-jane at halftime was the jubilant expressions on the faces of the 3964 spectators as they soaked up the remaining ambience of Whangarei's last taste of Fifa U-20 action.

Shaking off numerous missed attempts in the opening stanza, Uzbekistan were the first to strike at the start of the second half with a goal from Dostonbek Khamdamov.

Khamdamov eased the ball past Austrian goalie Tino Casali with an impressive sense of ease. From here the Uzbeks remained in charge of the match.

With safe hands in the goal, Uzbek goalie Dilshod Khamraev held off several attempts from the Austrian strikers, to keep his team on top.

The Uzbek's second and last goal of the match came from a rebound off the post by Rustamjon Ashurmatov which then reflected onto the boot of Khamdamov.

Khamdamov then caressed the ball into the net for his second goal of the match.

With the final score 2-0 to Uzbekistan, the players were through to the quarterfinal at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium this Sunday.NZME.