Uzbekistan claims AFC U-23 title in final minute of extra time

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Uzbekistan faced Vietnam in the AFC Under-23 Championship final at Kunshan Stadium in eastern Jiangsu Province on Saturday.

Vietnam had upset the odds by emerging from their group ahead of Australia and Syria, before knocking out regional heavyweights Iraq and Qatar to reach the final, and were looking to continue their Cinderella run to win the title. But it was Uzbekistan's Andrey Sidorov who would make millions of red-clad fans see their hopes of a fairytale ending dashed.

Uzbekistan faced Vietnam for the trophy in the AFC Under-23 Championship at Kunshan Stadium in Jiangsu Province, January 27, 2018. /VCG Photo

Uzbekistan opened scoring in the 8th minute as Rustamjon Ashurmatov headed in Dostonbek Khamdamov's corner kick.

In the 41st minute, Nguyen Quang Hai equalized the score with a pinpoint free kick for Vietnam.

The sides were locked at 1-1 at halftime, with the break extended for over an hour as crews cleared snow off the pitch, and Uzbekistan switched their white shirts to blue.

With neither side able to break the deadlock, the match went to extra time.

Andrey Sidorov's last minute score helped Uzbekistan win the AFC Under-23 Championship. /VCG Photo

Sidorov proved his value in the 120th minute as he expertly guided in Khamdamov's corner to break Vietnamese hearts, volleying home from close range.

"I am still shocked because of Uzbekistan's last-minute goal. But our men have been amazing to advance to the final. I can't be prouder of our team. Win or lose, they are still the heroes of Vietnam," said Pham Thuy Dung, a Vietnamese football fan.

Uzbekistan added the AFC Under-23 title to the Under-16 Championship which they won in 2012.

Meanwhile, South Korea faced Qatar in the third place playoff on Friday. Qatar held on for a 1-0 victory and the third-place finish.