Azizbek Turgunboev (2nd L) of Uzbekistan celebrates scoring with his teammates during the Group B match between Australia and Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
DOHA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Australia was held to a 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan but still topped Group B with seven points at the AFC Asian Cup here on Tuesday.
The Socceroos broke the deadlock in injury time of the first half, when Martin Boyle converted a penalty after Odiljon Xamrobekov's handball.
Substitute Azizbek Turgenboev leveled the scores with a header in the 78th minute for Uzbekistan, who remained undefeated and sealed second place in the group with five points.
Also in Group B, Omar Khrbin came off the bench to score a 76th-minute winner as Syria edged India 1-0 to advance to the knockout stage for the first time in its seven appearances in the tournament.
The qualification of Syria, who finished as one of the four best third-placed team with four points, also ruled out China's chance to reach the last 16.
Elsewhere, Iran won its third game in a row to top Group C after defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-1, thanks to two goals from Mehdi Taremi.
Despite the loss, the UAE secured its place as the runners-up, ahead of Palestine due to a superior goal difference.
Palestine defeated Hong Kong, China 3-0. Oday Dabbagh scored a brace and Zeid Qunbar also found the net as Palestine clinched its first ever Asian Cup triumph and advanced to the last 16 as well. ■
Kusini Yengi (C) of Australia vies during the Group B match between Australia and Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Martin Boyle (L) of Australia vies with Rustamjon Ashurmatov (C) of Uzbekistan during the Group B match between Australia and Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Igor Sergeev (1st R) of Uzbekistan receives medical treatment during the Group B match between Australia and Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Azizbek Turgunboev (R) of Uzbekistan celebrates after scoring during the Group B match between Australia and Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Riley McGree (R) of Australia vies with Otabek Shukurov of Uzbekistan during the Group B match between Australia and Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
The line-up players of Uzbekistan pose for photos prior to the Group B match between Australia and Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Azizbek Turgunboev (4th R) of Uzbekistan celebrates scoring with his teammates during the Group B match between Australia and Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
Players of Uzbekistan talk to referee Yusuke Araki (2nd R) during the Group B match between Australia and Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Utkir Yusupov (1st R), goalkeeper of Uzbekistan makes a save during the Group B match between Australia and Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Martin Boyle (C) of Australia vies with Eshmurodov Umarbek (R) of Uzbekistan during the Group B match between Australia and Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Martin Boyle (1st R) of Australia scores a penalty during the Group B match between Australia and Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Riley McGree (R) and Keanu Baccus (L) of Australia vies with Jaloliddin Masharipov of Uzbekistan during the Group B match between Australia and Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
Michael Udebuluzor (L) of China's Hong Kong heads the ball with Ameed Mahajneh of Palestine during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Matt Orr of China's Hong Kong moves during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Michael Udebuluzor (Top) of China's Hong Kong vies with Ameed Mahajneh of Palestine during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Mohammed Saleh of Palestine reacts after the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Oday Kharoub (L, front) of Palestine controls the ball during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Mahmoud Abuwarda of Palestine shoots during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Oliver Benjamin Gerbig (L) of China's Hong Kong vies with Zeid Qunbar of Palestine during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Michael Udebuluzor (L) of China's Hong Kong looks dejected after his teammate Chan Siu Kwan Philip (R) missed a chance to score during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Everton Camargo of China's Hong Kong takes a penalty kick and misses it during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Oday Dabbagh (2nd R) of Palestine celebrates after scoring during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Everton Camargo (R) of China's Hong Kong is tackled down during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Tse Ka Wing (1st R), goalkeeper of China's Hong Kong, fails to save the goal from Palestine's Oday Dabbagh during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Zeid Qunbar (2nd L) of Palestine scores during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Zeid Qunbar (3rd R) of Palestine heads the ball to score during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Matt Orr (Top) of China's Hong Kong heads the ball to shoot during the Group C match between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
