African Champions, Ghana have jumped to the summit of their group after coming from behind to notch a win against Uzbekistan in their World Youth Championship opener.
The Black Satellites were 2-1 winners over the Uzbeks on Saturday and Ghana would go into the next game against England much confident.
"First games are normally not easy. Players might show nerves but once they settle, they play to their normal plan,” coach Sellas Tetteh said as his side prepare for the game with Brian Eastick’s English side on Tuesday.
With the Black Satellites on the back foot just two minutes into the second half after Karimov had given the Asian runners-up the lead, Ransford Osei continued with his fine scoring form for the Under-20 side when he toe-poked the equalizer for Ghana on the hour mark before his strike partner Dominic Adiyiah fired in the winner on 75 minutes.
The high-tempo game in Ismailia saw the African Champions in the driving seat in the opening half but failed to find target.
Dominic Adiyiah came close on a number of occasions to putting Ghana in the lead but it was Agyemang Badu’s freekick which deflected off the Uzbeks wall and fizzled away from goal narrowly.
As the minutes ticked, Uzbekistan, who picked up two bookings came in strongly but managed to end the half without conceding.
Back from the break, the Uzbeks upped the tempo and succeeded in drawing first blood as Karimov, left unmarked at the far post, easily connected a cross past Ghana goalkeeper Daniel Agyei at the near post.
The goal did spark some urgency into the Ghanaian game as the Black Satellites pushed for the equalizer.
Ghana, having sustained the pressure drew level as Osei controlled cross from David Addy in the box and with goalkeeper Kuvvatov sprawling out to make a save, the striker toe-poked the ball above him for the equalizer on 60 minutes.
The Ghanaian bench withdrew Opoku Agyemang for Abeiku Quansah as the Black Satellites sought to jump into the lead.
And seven minutes after the first substitution, the Black Satellites for the first time on the night jumped into the lead as Dominic Adiyiah picked out by a Rabiu Mohammed header fired in from close range to make it 2-1 for Ghana.
Still keen to maintain their attacking shape, Ghana continued to pile on the pressure as Andre Ayew, drifting to the right side of attack forced Kuvvatov into making a great save as the goalkeeper pushed into play his shot.
The second change for Ghana was made as Gladson Awako was sent on for Rabiu Mohammed.
Abeiku Quansah drew a yellow card from referee Alberto Undiano as the game neared the final stretches.
line up:Daniel Agyei, Samuel Inkoom, David Addy, Jonathan Mensah, Daniel Addo, Agyemang Badu, Opoku Agyemang/Abeiku Quansah, Rabiu Mohammed/Gladson Awako, Dominic Adiyiah, Ransford Osei, Andre Ayew
Subs:Gladson Awako, Abeiku Quansah, Latif Salifu, Kassenu Ghandi, Daniel Opare, Philip Boampong, Robert Dabuo, John Benson, Bright Addae, Joseph Addo