3 minute read

Goalkeeper Mat Ryan and returning forward Mathew Leckie have put Australia in the Asian Cup quarter-finals by starring in a penalty shootout win over Uzbekistan

Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan and winger Mathew Leckie have starred in a penalty shootout to secure the Socceroos an Asian Cup quarter-final berth against hosts UAE.

Ryan made two saves in his first penalty shootout in a national team shirt while Leckie stroked home the winning spot kick after a frustrating 0-0 draw against Uzbekistan in Al Ain.

The Brighton stopper denied Uzbek pair Islom Tukhtakhujaev and Marat Bikmaev with saves in the shootout.

His heroics enabled Leckie, playing for the first time in the tournament after recovering from a hamstring tear suffered on club duty in Germany in December, to seal a spot in the last eight.

Victory was probably deserved for Australia despite the Socceroos once again struggling to overcome a well-drilled defensive unit.

Uzbekistan coach Hector Cuper set out to frustrate Graham Arnold's team, often putting six players behind the ball before attempting to catch Australia out on the counter.

A relieved Arnold praised both men after the match.

"That's why he's in the Premier League, that's why he's such a high-class goalkeeper and his two saves in penalty shootouts showed what a top goalkeeper he is," Arnold said of Ryan.

"The whole plan was to have Leckie back around this time and the plan has worked, can't have worked any better with him coming on and scoring the final penalty."

Australia begun the game sluggishly, echoing their poor start against Jordan in the opening group match.

Aziz Behich's tame volley was the only shot on target for the Socceroos in the opening half while Uzbek striker Eldor Shomurodov came closest to scoring when he broke clear of Trent Sainsbury and Ryan had to make a one-handed block to deny him a fifth goal of the tournament.

Australia gained control of the match in the second half but really failed to threaten until Leckie's introduction in the 68th minute.

The 27-year-old forced veteran Uzbek keeper Ignatiy Nesterov to make a good save after a strong run through the left-side of the White Wolves' defence.

Despite Australia's struggles, Arnold denied Uzbekistan and Jordan had given future opposition a template to frustrate his team going forward.

"If you get a goal in the first 20 minutes it's a totally different game," Arnold said.

"What was important for us was we were patient, we didn't lose our head by not being able to break down the brick wall."

Arnold's men now face host nation UAE in a quarter-final at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Friday.

Both teams had to come through extra-time after the UAE defeated Kyrgyzstan 3-2 in Abu Dhabi in their round of 16 clash.

While Leckie looks good to make his first start in Friday's match, Australia will be without Tom Rogic after the attacking midfielder picked up his second yellow card of the tournament after an innocuous challenge in the second half.

"One good thing is we don't have to travel. We're here in Al Ain, they have to travel down here," Arnold said.

"The main focus for us is now just to recover after 120 minutes, look at how players have pulled up.

"Obviously Tomi Rogic is out suspended but we have a number of options and, you know, we will see how the players are and how they pull up tomorrow."