Shatskikh leads Uzbekistan rout of Malaysia

Reuters - Maksim Shatskikh made a triumphant return from suspension to spark Uzbekistan to a 5-0 drubbing of hosts Malaysia in Asian Cup Group C on Saturday.

Captain Shatskikh, suspended for Uzbekistan's 2-1 loss to Iran, scored twice as his side revived their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Tournament co-hosts Malaysia face almost certain elimination following their opening 5-1 defeat by China.

Striker Shatskikh, who plays for Dynamo Kiev, opened the scoring in the 10th minute, Timur Kapadze scored a classy goal on 20 minutes and Ulugbek Bakaev stroked home a penalty in stoppage time to give Uzbekistan a 3-0 lead.

Substitute Aziz Ibragimov added a fourth after 85 minutes and Shatskikh struck four minutes later to give the Uzbeks three points from two matches, level with China and Iran who meet on Sunday.