AFC Asian Cup 2019, Australia vs. Uzbekistan: 3 Reasons why the Socceroos won in penalty shootouts

Australia edged out Uzbekistan 4-2 in the penalty shootouts after both the sides failed to break the deadlock in regulation and extra time in their 2019 AFC Asian Cup Round of 16 encounter. The Socceroos will next lock horns with either UAE in the quarterfinals.

Australia made two changes to the side that beat Syria 3-2 on Tuesday as Milos Degenek and Massimo Luongo made their way for Trent Sainsbury and Mark Milligan. Uzbekistan, on the other hand, made four changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Japan.

Farrukh Sayfiev, Egor Krimets, Fozil Musaev, and Ikromjon Alibaev gave up their place in the starting lineup for Oleg Zoteev, Anzur Ismailov, Otabek Shukorov, and Jaloliddin Masharipov.

The match was a cagey affair, making it fair for both the sides that the winner had to be selected via penalty shootouts.

Despite bowing out of the tournament, Uzbekistan can hold their head high as they came up with a spirited performance. Here are 3 reasons why Australia defeated Uzbekistan in the penalty shootout.

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#1 Awer Mabil forced to play deep

The Uzbekistan defenders didn't give Awer Mabil any free space to breathe

Coming on to the game, Australia's hopes of scoring goals rested on Awer Mabil who was the Socceroos' only player to score two goals in the tournament.

Uzbekistan knew that if they can contain the Kenyan-born winger, Australia's chances of gaining momentum and finding the back of the net would decrease drastically.

Awer Mabil couldn't play his natural game as he was forced to play deep in order to bring the ball forward and create scoring opportunities. Oleg Zoteev did a marvellous job of marking him as a result of which he couldn't fire a single shot.

#2 A well-organised Uzbekistan defensive setup

The Uzbekistan players gave a very good account of themselves in the defense

Australia controlled the pace of the game as they had 60.7% possession and a staggering 79.3% passing accuracy in the opponent's half.

However, if one watched the game, they would resonate with the fact that most of Australia's passes were in the defensive third as they struggled to pierce the tightly organized Uzbekistan setup.

Most of Australia's shot on target were from outside the box which the goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov saved acrobatically. Uzbekistan also had a 70.6% tackle success rate which illustrates how strong they were on the back.

At the time, they even shifted to a back five or back six and the Socceroos were forced to lob wayward crosses in frustration.

Around 62% of the action was restricted on the center of the pitch despite Australia dominating the possession.

Hector Cuper's side's sojourn might have ended in the Asian Cup but his boys can be proud of themselves that they held the mighty Australia to a goalless stalemate for 120 minutes.

#1 Matt Ryan's cool and calm demeanor in the penalty shootout

Matt Ryan saved two out of four penalties to ensure Uzbekistan didn't reach the quarter-finals

Uzbekistan knew that taking the game to the penalty was the only way they could sniff away at the quarter-finals.

They succeeded in doing half the job. But, to complete the next half, they had to go through Australia's goalkeeper Matt Ryan.

Australia won the toss and decided to fire the first shot. Captain Mark Milligan didn't disappoint the team and Uzbekistan's Otabek Shukorov followed the honours.

However, the Uzbek goalkeeper saved Aziz Behich's shot and, Matt Ryan was tasked to deny the Central Asian country the lead.

He stayed in the center to save Islom Tukhtakhodjaev's shot before parrying away Marat Bikmaev's attempt. Matthew Leckie converted the fifth penalty and ensured Australia survived Uzbekistan's scare and made it through to the next round.

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