Super-sub Alexandr Geynrikh gave Uzbekistan the perfect 25th Independence Day present and an ideal start to the final round of qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 win over Syria at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Thursday.
The Ordabasy forward came on in the second half and brought the match to life with a stunning strike in the 74th minute to seal all three points and a winning start to the campaign for Samvel Babayan and his team.
In a first half with few chances for either team, it was Uzbekistan’s Islom Tukhtakhodjaev who fashioned the best opportunity for his team on 26 minutes.
The Lokomotiv Tashkent player found himself with plenty of space on the edge of the box but with his back to goal, improvising with a backward header that Syrian goalkeeper Ibrahim Almeh was equal to.
Uzbekistan started the second half with more purpose and were pressing high up the pitch, in and around the Syrian box.
A long throw from the left was headed into a throng of bodies in the middle of the Syria penalty area as the lanky Igor Sergeev stuck a boot out to divert the ball towards goal but Almeh was able to dive onto it.
With 48 minutes on the clock, Almeh came off his line to claim a high corner kick but missed and a game of pinball soon ensued in the box with no Uzbekistan attacker able to take advantage with a vital touch.
Uzbekistan coach Babayan then decided to roll the dice, as he replaced Sardor Rashidov with the experienced Alexandr Geynrikh.
But it would be fellow forward Sergeev who would come close to opening the scoring after Syria failed to clear their lines in the 58th minute.
Eldor Shomurodov showed great desire to win the ball near the touchline, cutting it back to a lurking Server Djeparov who stood the ball up toward the far post where Sergeev, despite being well placed, could only direct a powerful header straight at Almeh in the Syrian goal.
To the home crowd’s delight, Uzbekistan finally took the lead 16 minutes from time.
A late arriving Odil Akhmedov drew a smart reaction save from Almeh with a stinging shot, but Geynrikh was onto the rebound in a flash, smashing it home on the half volley to spark raucous celebrations around the stadium.
Syria attempted to find an equaliser as the minutes ticked down but Omro Al Midani's effort was blocked and the hosts managed to see out the rest of the game to claim a vital three-point haul.
