Hosts Uzbekistan defeated Uganda Cranes 4-2 in the final of the Navruz Cup played on Sunday at the Navbahor Stadium in Namangun.
Eldor Shomurodov who features for AS Roma in Italy netted a hattrick, while Jalolidin Masharipo also got his name on the score sheet for the hosts.
Masharipo gave Uzbekistan the lead after 35 minutes when he capitalized on a defensive mix up to make it 1-0. As Uganda Cranes team tried to settle, Shomurodov made it 2-0 after 40 minutes when he slotted the ball past Uganda’s goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi.
But the Uganda Cranes fought back strongly after the interval to pull back a goal through Ukraine based forward Farouk Miya after 52 minutes. Two minutes later Uzbekistan pushed forward and made it 3-1 through Shomurodov again.
The AS Roma striker netted his third goal of the day after 72 minutes before Uganda Cranes skipper Emmanuel Okwi also scored three minutes later.
To reach the final Uganda ejected Tajikistan in the first semi final, while the hosts saw off Kyrgyzstan.
“It is a tournament that has really given us a clear picture ahead of the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers,” said Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic.
