Doha: Super sub Tursunali Rustamov’s 86th minute goal steered Kyrgyz Republic to a 1-0 win over Jordan in a friendly match at the Qatar SC Stadium on Thursday.
After suffering a 4-0 loss to Japan last month, the win against Jordan serves as a major confidence boost to the Central Asians as they march towards their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group C campaign against China PR, Korea Republic and the Philippines.
Jordan, who are in Group B with defending champions Australia, Palestine and Syria, will have to raise the bar before they begin their fourth appearance in the Continental showpiece.
Both sides have two more friendly matches lined up before the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 kicks off.
Meanwhile, Miroslav Soukup’s Bahrain beat Tajikistan 5-0 in an international friendly at the Bahrain National Stadium.
Soukup’s men, who lost 2-1 to Oman in a friendly last month, dominated the first half as Muhammed Al Rumaihim and Jamal Rashed put Bahrain 2-0 up at half-time.
In the second half, Bahrain flexed their muscles and extended their lead through Ali Madan’s strike in the 50th minute before goals from Rashed in the 75th minute and Sami Husseini 10 minutes later completed the rout.
Soukup’s men will play their final warm-up match against DPR Korea on December 29 before embarking on their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign against the UAE on January 5.
Bahrain, who will be making their sixth appearance at the AFC Asian Cup, are in Group A along with hosts the United Arab Emirates, India and Thailand.
Photos: Jordan Football Association, Tajikistan Football Federation
Source: the-afc.com