Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Tashkent: Captain Server Djeparov struck midway through the second half as Uzbekistan maintained their pursuit of a maiden FIFA World Cup appearance with a 1-0 win over Lebanon on Tuesday.
With Korea Republic earlier claiming a dramatic 2-1 win over Qatar to temporarily move clear at the top of Group A, Djeparov’s deflected strike four minutes after the hour mark handed Mirdjalal Kasimov’s side a third consecutive win of the final round and extended their unbeaten run to five games.
Both second-place Korea, who are just a point off the pace, and third-place Iran, who sit a further three points adrift, still have a game in hand on Uzbekistan ahead of the completion of the final round in June, while Lebanon’s hopes of a maiden FIFA World Cup appearance are all but over after suffering a fourth defeat of the campaign.
“It was a difficult match and we had to fight in every part of the field. Lebanon played well in the first half and they didn’t make any mistakes in defence,” said Uzbekistan coach Kasimov.
“After the break I brought in Farhod Tadjiyev and Oleg Zoteev and both helped us to achieve the win.
“Some of our players started to play in Uzbekistan earlier this month so I hope they will improve further after they play more competitive games.”
With Uzbekistan looking to regain top spot in Group A following Korea’s last-gasp win over Qatar earlier in the evening, the home side made an encouraging start roared on by a capacity crowd at the new Bunyodkor Stadium.
But it was Lebanon, who were still coming to terms with the sudden retirement of captain Roda Antar on the eve of the game, who came close to opening the scoring after 12 minutes as Hassan Chaito – who scored twice during Friday’s win over Thailand in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers – grazed the side netting with Ignatiy Nesterov scrambling across his goal.
With neither side able to establish themselves on a tight contest, Uzbekistan’s best chances arrived at the second of the first half as Ulugbek Bakaev twice went close for the home side although Lebanon goalkeeper Abbas Hassan remained untested.
Coach Kasimov introduced both Oleg Zoteev and Farhod Tadjiyev in the opening stages of the second half before Djeparov blazed over from the edge of the area following good work from Bakaev.
Substitute Tadjiyev then twice went close in quick succession as the Lokomotiv Tashkent striker first hit the outside of the Lebanon post just two minutes after his introduction before firing a first time effort over the crossbar from the penalty spot.
And the opening goal finally arrived four minutes after the hour mark as Djeparov’s deflected strike from just outside the area wrong-footed Hassan following good work from Tadjiyev and Bakaev.
Tadjiyev wasted another chance for the home side with 15 minutes remaining after being played into the area by Djeparov, but Lebanon failed to muster a clear-cut chance in the closing and Uzbekistan held on to claim a deserved three points having shared 1-1 draw with Lebanon in June in Beirut.
“We tried our best against Uzbekistan and we tried to win, but Uzbekistan were the better team. They had more chances and scored the goal and won the match,” said Lebanon coach Theo Bucker.
“We are playing in the final round of qualifying for the World Cup and that is an achievement for us.
“We started the game very well, but Uzbekistan played with additional energy in the second half and we lost.
“Iran, Korea Republic and Uzbekistan are equal and I can’t compare them. I think two of these three teams will qualify for the World Cup.”