Uzbekistan's men's football team opened their campaign at the XX Summer Asian Games in Japan with a resounding 5-1 win over the Philippines. The Group C first-round match was played in Nagoya, according to infohub.kz.
Saidumarkhon Saidnurullaev scored twice for the winners, finding the net in the 60th and 71st minutes. Mukhammadali Urinboev (30th minute), Ruziboy Fayzullaev (73) and Mukhammmedali Reimov (80) also got on the scoresheet.
Martin Merino scored the Philippines' only goal in the 62nd minute. Their team was forced to finish the match a man down after Gavin Muens was sent off in the 48th minute.
In the other Group C match, Vietnam and Kuwait played out a 1-1 draw. Thanks to their emphatic victory, Uzbekistan top the group with three points.
A total of 15 teams are competing in the men's football tournament at the 2026 Asian Games, divided into four groups. The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage.
Squads are made up mainly of players aged 23 or under, with teams allowed to include three overage footballers.