Uzbekistan near history! ｜ Uzbekistan - Kyrgyz Republic ｜ Highlights #AsianQualifiers - Road To 26

The AFC Asian qualifiers continue in Group A as Informed Uzbekistan welcome Kyrgyz Republic to the Bunyadkhor Stadium in Tashkent. Uzbekistan legend Timur Kapadze has taken over the hot seat and his first competitive match in charge sees them in a three-way fight for the two top spots along with Iran and UAE. Center forward Eldor Shomorodov captains the Uzbekistan side that has only lost one qualifier so far. They also have Manchester City's Abdul Qadir Hussainov at the heart of defense. For Kyrgyz Republic captain Valery Kichin is part of a back five with Khaimer and John Kojo up top. He scored in the last meeting between the sides and has three overall this campaign. Uzbekistan in a good position in the 11th minute. The free kick is saved by catches it sweetly. Almost finds its way into the corner. The White Wolves have been in control here in the opening stages and the block from the defender almost sends it into his own net. Zarebekov gets the tackle in just as Vaisaliyev was pulling the trigger. Wave after wave of attack Uzbekistan come forwards again. Vaisaliyev chips it into Masharipov and again it's at Tokatayev in the center of the goal. He's been the busier of the two goalkeepers. Kyrgyz Republic can't get out of their own half in the first 20 minutes or so. Leonov coming forwards here. Shomorodov bit of magic puts it back into the defender's path and he's been hauled down. Saeed Zatseyev has shown a straight red card for this last-ditch tackle. Kyrgyz Republic are down to 10 and Uzbekistan have a penalty. Shomorodov cleans it up. Tokatayev, what can he do? He gets down quickly to deny Uzbekistan the opening goal. A brilliant save, great reflexes, well-hit penalty and the follow-up can't be put home either. Somehow it still remains nil-nil as Uzbekistan come forward. This is Vaisaliyev, what can he do? The ball through. Alijanov gets a foot to it and it trickles over the line. Uzbekistan have their breakthrough. It has been coming. Tokatayev has done his best to keep them at bay but this one creeps over the line. Alijanov puts enough on it and the wing back grabs a goal. It's a stoppage time. Uzbekistan coming forwards again. Shomorodov drives it in and Tokatayev beats that one away. A narrow lead as we go into the second half. The captain has been denied a couple of times but Uzbekistan still in full control. Shomorodov involved again and the shot was beaten away at the near post. Masharipov stings the palms of Tokatayev. First big save of the second half. Now Vaisaliyev, outrageous bit of skill there. What can he do? Puts it at the back post and it's only last-ditch tackling to deny the number seven Shkodov. Well he can't double the lead. It remains one nil. Will Uzbekistan be made to pay for all these missed chances? 84th minute. More pressure on Kyrgyz Republic. The shot from distance is palmed away. This time Abdullah Abdaliyev with a left-footed shot comes through a crowd of players. Tokatayev does well again. That was the last chance of the game. Uzbekistan clinch a vital victory and it's the fifth win and for the fifth time it's been settled by a one goal margin. They won't mind as they're on the brink of qualifying for their first ever World Cup. Final score in Tashkent one nil.