Table-topping Uzbekistan made it two AFC U-19 Championship 2016 qualifying wins out of two on Sunday thanks to a 3-0 win over Sri Lanka, while second-placed Bangladesh were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Bhutan.
Having beaten Bhutan 7-0 in their opening fixture on Friday, the Uzbeks were quick out of the blocks at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Nurillo Tukhtasinov opening the scoring with only seven minutes on the clock.
Midfielder Doston Ibragimov doubled his side’s advantage on 21 minutes, before Sanjar Kodirkulov further extended Uzbekistan’s lead with a strike on the half hour mark.
Sri Lanka rallied after the break as the two sides failed to find the net, although Uzbekistan may yet rue Husniddin Gofurov’s 74th minute red card.
In the day’s second game, Bangladesh’s hopes of snatching top spot were put in doubt as early as the sixth minute when Bhutan defender Sonam Tobgay silenced the home fans with the game’s opening goal.
Bangladesh, who had beaten Sri Lanka 2-0 in their group opener, pressed hard to find an equaliser, but were forced to wait until the 77th minute, captain Masuk Miah Zoni scoring to ensure a share of the spoils for head coach Saiful Bari Titu’s charges.
In the group’s final fixtures on Tuesday, Bangladesh will go up against Uzbekistan with top spot up for grabs and Sri Lanka is set to face Bhutan.
