Syria headed to Tursunzade to take on hosts Tajikistan. Syria had escaped their home leg with a 2-1 lead but were in real danger of letting the lead slip and facing an earlier-than-anticipated exit from the tournament. The game-winning goalscorer from the previous match, Raja Rafe, scored within the first ten minutes to erase the road goals advantage held be Tajikistan. Rafe then struck again later in the half to put Syria up 2-0 and force Tajikistan the uneviable task of needing to collect four goals in the second half.Syria had no sympathy for their opponent's plight, and gathered a third goal within ten minutes of the restart. Poor Tajikistan also had the misfortune of being the first team to score an own goal in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, leaving the final score at 4-0 and the series in Syria's favor 6-1. Syria lives to learn its fate two days from now at the preliminary draw.
The Philippines headed home looking to overcome a 3-0 aggregate deficit in front of their Azkal faithful in Manila. The fan based had been disappointed not to have scored early in the first leg, and especially after the final result. However, the stadium was sold out with a distinct Filipino advantage in the stands. The Philippines scored their first goal in first half stoppage time through an absolute scorching laser off the boot of Stephan Shrock (pictured, white).
However, Kuwait did not come to Manila simply to hold on to their aggregate lead for dear life; they came to win, and that they did. After the hour mark, Kuwait evened the match. They then proceeded to knock home the winner five minutes from time and claim the match 2-1 and the series 5-1. The Philippines go home, but the Azkals can take pride in having advanced past Sri Lanka despite not having participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup at all.
Fahad Al Ebrahim gave the Azkal faithful even more reason to believe after he was sent off for Kuwait in the 58th minute for a straight red card.
Uzbekistan crossed the border into Kyrgyzstan looking to finish off their neighbors without issue after winning the first leg at home 4-0. The first half did not produce anything about which to write. The second half appeared to reawaken Uzbekistan. Two minutes in, the first goal came. Halfway through the period came the second, and the third fell in the final minute of regulation. A goal at the start, the middle, and the end, these were the most spread out three goals imaginable to be scored in the same half.
Uzbekistan win the match 3-0 and the series 7-0, leaving no question as to who was the best side in this series. Uzbekistan look forward now to the preliminary draw with an eye on advancing to the AFC Fourth Round as one of the top two teams in their group. For me, Uzbekistan is favored to claim one of the four direct entries to the Brasil 2014, along with Australia, South Korea, and Asian Cup winners Japan.
Goals:
Syria
Raja Rafe 6, 35
Nadim Sabagh 53
Farrukh Choriev 86 (OG)
Kuwait
Yousef Naser 61
Waleed Jumah 85
Philippines
Stephan Shrock 45+3
Uzbekistan
Victor Karpenko 47
Bahodir Nasimov 65, 90
Match Reports:
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQRBBGq83JY&feature=player_embedded (Syria v. Tajikistan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzqaKOvE8QM&feature=related (Kuwait v. Philippines)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBJfUQPFQ4M&feature=feedu (Uzbekistan v. Kyrgyzstan)
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