Dhaka, June 18: Uzbekistan beat Bangladesh 2-1 in the AFC U-22 Championship group D qualifiers at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu on Monday. 

Bangladesh put out a defensive 5-3-2 strategy with changes and worked hard to keep the possession.  The three Sohel Rana and Wahed was inserted in the playing eleven. Uzbeks, taller and technically better used the flanks to attack. In the 12th minute winger Rakhmatullaev sped through the right flank and shot in the outside net from a close range. 

In the 20th minute Gadoev’s free kick was headed by Azamov Rustam but the header missed the side post. 

Uzbekistan took the lead in the 40th minute as Smolyachenko, the attacking midfielder headed the ball in the far post from the top of the six yard box on a free kick of Rakhmatullaev (1-0). 

Bangladesh equalized in the 55th minute as substitute forward Rony’s cross hit the hand Uzbek defender Fayziev in the middle of the box and Bangladesh won a penalty. Emon Babu converted the penalty (1-1). 

However Bangladesh goalie Sohel’s blunder allowed Uzbekistan to take the lead again.  In the 73rd minute routine free kick of  Gadoev from the 25 yards slipped out of Sohel’s grip and hit the side post and crossed the goal line (2-1). 

Substitute forward Touhidul Alam’s shot flew over the crosspiece in the added time. 

Bangladesh meet Jordan on Wednesday.