AFC Asian Qualifiers - Victory is all that matters for Uzbekistan’s Kapadze

Tashkent: Despite finding it difficult to breach a resolute Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan inched closer to realising their FIFA World Cup dreams with head coach Timur Kapadze not unduly worried about his misfiring frontline in Thursday's AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A tie.

Despite playing against 10 men and registering 26 attempts, nine of which were on target, Uzbekistan only managed a 1-0 win but Kapadze chose to look at the bigger picture as the win kept his side firmly entrenched in second place and their fate very much in their own hands.

#AsianQualifiers - Road To 26 | Group A : Uzbekistan 1 - 0 Kyrgyz Republic

“We won today, maybe we could have scored more goals but the important thing was the victory,” said Kapadze. “Maybe if we had scored a goal earlier, the score would have been different but the opponents also defended well.

“After the red card, a lot changed. We knew that the opponents would also be fighting for points. But since we were playing at home, we had to win without giving them a chance."

“Maybe it would have been easier for us if the opponents had 11 men. We had many chances. Maybe we saved the goals for the next games.”

On 16 points, Uzbekistan meet table-toppers Islamic Republic of Iran next and victory on Tuesday will take them ever closer to a debut FIFA World Cup appearance.

Defeat for Kyrgyz Republic left them second from bottom with three points but head coach

Maksim Lisitsyn expressed pride at his players' fighting performance.

"We could not show our game that the fans expected and it’s clear that was connected with the red card (for Said Datsiev in the 24th minute). After the red card, we had to make alterations and it affected our game,” said Lisitsyn.

“However, I would still like to thank the players for their desire, fighting spirit and ability to give themselves to the game.”

While a top two finish is no longer possible, Kyrgyz Republic can still advance to the playoffs - which will offer two additional tickets to the FIFA World Cup - making their tie against Qatar in Bishkek on Tuesday a must-win affair for the Central Asian side.

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