The primary driving factor behind both the central Asian nation’s jump up the ranking and their qualification for UAE 2019, was the two victories they picked up in March. 

The first was a historic win, being the three points in Asian Cup qualifying Group A that sealed their first ever participation at the Continental Finals. 

Their defeat of Myanmar was never really in doubt, with Islam Shamsiev and Anton Zemlianukhin putting Aleksandr Krestinin’s side 2-0 up within five minutes. 

Zemlianukhin plundered a second after the hour mark before goals from Vitalij Lux and Bekzhan Sagynbaev were sandwiched by Kyaw Ko Ko’s consolation.

Next time out, they had to better India’s 1-0 win in the reverse fixture to top Group A, but could ‘only’ manage a 2-1 victory - thanks to goals from Zemlianukhin and Mirlan Murzaev - that saw them finish behind India on head-to-head. 

Still, the victory further compounded the side’s superlative ranking points total, aiding their remarkable rise to 75th spot.

The coach

Aleksandr Krestinin

Something of a journeyman as a player, mostly turning out for a number of teams in the Russian lower leagues, Krestinin has found a home with the White Falcons. 

In the role since 2014, he seems to have come into his own since combining the job with that of head coach at Kyrgyz club side FC Dordoi Bishkek, where he took over in June 2017. Indeed, a large proportion of his squad, including Shamsiev and Sagynbaev, play their club football at FC Dordoi.

Since he took over at Dordoi, the national side have lost just once, winning six in a row – including a superb 4-3 victory over Macau in November in Asian Cup qualifying.

“I want to say thanks to all my players and staff, and to the fans who have always supported us in the important matches,” Krestinin said after reaching UAE 2019. “We have been able to take the next step in the development of our football. The players and the country lived with the same dream: qualification for the Finals.”

The star player

Anton Zemlianukhin

The attacking midfielder’s importance to the AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign cannot be understated. 

He scored six goals in the six Group A matches of the third round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, helping his side reach their historic first Finals. 

His goals were important too. Without them, Kyrgyz Republic would have been six points worse off - they finished five points above third-placed Myanmar in the pool.

Zemlianukhin’s crucial Round 3 goals

1 goal v Myanmar: 2-2 final score, +1 point

2 goals v Macau: 4-3 final score, +3 points

1 goal v India: 2-1 final score, +2 points

Sources: FIFA.com, AFC