Uzbekistan seal spot in Asian Cup QF
Brace from Rashidov takes team past Saudi Arabia to confirm last-eight clash with South Korea; China beat North Korea.
Midfielder Sardor Rashidov scored a goal in each half to give Uzbekistan a 3-1 victory over Saudi Arabia and a spot in the Asian Cup quarter-finals.
| Pld | GD | Points | |
| China | 3 | +3 | 9 |
| Uzbekistan | 3 | +2 | 6 |
| Saudi Arabia | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| North Korea | 3 | -5 | 0 |
Uzbekistan will next face South Korea on Thursday after finishing second in Group B to China, which completed a clean sweep of the group stage with a 2-1 win over already eliminated North Korea.
Uzbekistan took the lead after just 90 seconds when Rashidov beat three defenders before sliding a shot through the legs of Saudi goal-keeper Waleed Abdullah.
Mohammed Al Sahlawi equalized for the Saudis from the penalty spot in the 60th minute, before second-half substitute Vokhid Shodiev restored the lead for Uzbekistan in the 71st.
Rashidov claimed his second goal to put the win beyond doubt in the 79th.