Uzbekistan stun China, Iran ease through

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Reuters) Uzbekistan knocked Group C favourites China out of the Asian Cup with a stunning 3-0 upset victory at the Shah Alam Stadium today.

Dynamo Kiev striker Maksim Shatskikh, Pakhtakor midfielder Timur Kapadze and veteran Alexander Geynrikh scored late in the second half to break the hearts of the 2004 runners-up.

Iran finished top of the group on seven points after their 2-0 win over co-hosts Malaysia today, with Uzbekistan second on six points. China finished with four points and Malaysia lost all three matches.

China needed only a draw to reach the quarter-finals after a 5-1 victory over Malaysia and a 2-2 draw with Iran.

Uzbekistan, who thrashed Malaysia 5-0 after losing 2-1 to Iran, needed to win to reach the last eight.

Uzbekistan will travel to Jakarta to face Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals on Sunday. Iran stay in Malaysia to take on South Korea.

REUTERS TB RN2128