Asian Cup 2019: Australia beat Uzbekistan on penalties
Socceroos celebrate after beating Uzbekistan in a penalty shootout. Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images
AKIPRESS.COM - Australia needed penalties to beat Uzbekistan, but thanks to two saves from Brighton’s Mat Ryan they went through 4-2, and into the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup 2019 in the UAE.
Mark Milligan, Robbie Kruse, Apostolos Giannou and Leckie all scored in the shootout with Aziz Behich the only one to miss when his effort was well saved by Uzbek keeper Ignatiy Nesterov.
Mat Ryan saved two of the White Wolves' penalties, denying Islom Tukhthakhujaev and substitute Marat Bikmaev.
The shootout came after a tense match, which lacked many clear opportunities, finished goalless after 120 minutes.
Now Australia will face the hosts after Kyrgyzstan lost to the UAE 2-3 in extra-time penalty.