Lahore:Uzbekistan overpowered Nepal by 6-1 score in the only match on the fourth day of the Haier Hockey Series Open here at the National Hockey Stadium to get ahead of Kazakhstan on points table.
Although, the score-line indicates a one sided encounter, the Nepalese were very much in the game when the third quarter ended, trailing only 1-2. But the more experienced Uzbek side scored four in the last 10 minutes to make it a tennis score.
The margin of their win has also helped Uzbekistan to go ahead of Kazakhstan in terms of goal difference which could decide the winner of this event if the match between these two sides on Saturday ends in a draw.
Both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan won both of their matches so far and has accumulated six points each but Uzbekistan is ahead with a goal difference of 16 as compared to Kazakhstan’s 14 on points table.
The Uzbeks dominated the first half but could make only one of the many chances, both open play and penalty corners, count. Khakimov converted a penalty corner with a good flick.
They added one more in the third quarter, an open play goal by Khaytboev in the 36th minute. Having been outplayed till then, the Nepalese boys looked a different side during the last nine minutes of this quarter. With fast passing game they entered the rival circle quite a few times. One of the raids resulted in a penalty stroke in the 41st minute. Roman Rana’s push had been anticipated by goal keeper Uzakov but the ball scrambled over the goal line off his arm.
It was 2-1 for Uzbeks before the play entered the last quarter. However, Uzbekistan completely controlled the proceedings. Ruslan Karimov, later named Man of Match, scored two open play goals while captain Kalandarov and Sultanov availed penalty corners.