TOKYO (Japan): A hat-trick from Mirlan Murzaev helped Kyrgyz Republic move into second place in Group F of the Asian Qualifiers after a comprehensive 8-1 victory over 10-men Myanmar at Yanmar Stadium Nagai on Friday.
The victory sees Kyrgyz Republic leapfrog their Central Asian neighbours Tajikistan on goal difference, while Myanmar drop to bottom in the standings behind Mongolia, ahead of the vital final round of fixtures to come on Tuesday.
Kyrgyzstan was forced to play with a defender in goal for the second straight game because of coronavirus rules.
Aizar Akmatov filled in for Kyrgyzstan’s three regular goalkeepers, who were all ruled out because they were deemed close contacts of a player who tested positive for the virus.
Akmatov had played in goal for his side’s 1-0 defeat to Mongolia on Monday.
But he came out on the winning side and kept a clean sheet until the 69th minute against Myanmar, who had Yan Naing Oo sent off in the 24th minute.
Mirlan Murzaev scored a hat-trick for Kyrgyzstan, who leapfrogged Tajikistan into second place in Group F, on goal difference.
Group hosts Japan have already secured first place.
Kyrgyzstan play Japan in their final group game on Tuesday, while Tajikistan take on Myanmar the same day.
