AKIPRESS.COM - Uzbekistan lost 4-3 to Honduras in their FIFA U-20 World Cup Group F opener at the Christchurch Stadium in New Zealand on Monday.

The Uzbeks enjoyed more possession in the thrilling game, but it was Honduras who made the most of their chances, with skipper Jhow Benavidez supplying the breakthrough after just four minutes with a well-executed free-kick.

Bryan Rochez doubled his side's advantage 16 minutes later as he connected with a pass from Deybi Flores before prodding the ball past advancing Uzbekistan goalkeeper Sarvar Karimov.

The young Uzbeks bounced back to reduce the deficit on 31 minutes, Bunyodkor midfielder Dostonbek Khamdamov firing a low shot into the bottom corner thanks to a perfectly weighted ball from Otabek Shukurov.

Uzbekistan captain Javokhir Sokhibov then almost drew his side level six minutes before the break, but his powerful shot crashed against the crossbar.

The Hondurans increased their lead on 49 minutes courtesy of a Kevin Alvarez direct free kick after which it was Uzbekistan who did all the pressing with Sokhibov and Eldor Shomurodov both wasting good opportunities.

Eldor Shomurodo did convert the simplest of chances 11 minutes from time, and the Central Asians could have snatched an equaliser had Shomurodov’s curling shot from 12 yards not been well saved by Honduran goalkeeper Roberto Lopez.

Rochez then widened the gap to 4-2 as he made good of his one-on-one opportunity after outpacing Ibrokhim Abdullaev two minutes into stoppage time.

Admirably, Uzbekistan persisted and were handed what would prove to be a mere consolation through Zabikhillo Urinboev’s goal four minutes later, reports Boxscore.