The woodwork and a linesman's flag helped Saudi Arabia beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in the Asian Cup here on Sunday and sneak into the semi-finals. The unlucky former Soviet Republic clattered the frame of the goal five times and had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside as they crashed out to the oil-rich kingdom in a thrilling contest.
It was a flying start as Saudi Arabia took the lead after only three minutes with Uzbekistan hitting the post two minutes later. Abdulrahman Al Qahtani outpaced Anvar Gafurov down the Saudi left and sent a teasing cross into the box.
Uzbek goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov got a hand to it but could only divert the ball to Yasser Al Qahtani, who finished with aplomb. But two minutes later Server Djeparov finished off a brilliant Uzbek move by hitting the upright with Yasser Al Mosailem beaten in the Saudi goal.
Uzbekistan quickly took total control of proceedings but a lack of concentration at the back meant the Saudis remained dangerous. On 19 minutes Uzbekistan struck wood again, this time captain Maksim Shatskikh's deflected shot just grazing the post.
Just before the half-hour Shatskikh seemed to have earned his side a richly deserved equaliser after mopping up a loose ball in the box but he was denied by a ridiculous offside flag, despite being yards onside. Uzbekistan almost paid a high price as Yasser Al Qahtani skipped clear but fired narrowly wide when one-on-one with Nesterov.
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