It was end to end action from the start with Tajikistan the first to have a look on goal, Idris Yorov blazing his long range effort just over the bar, while at the other end, goalkeeper Firuz Bekmurodov produced a fine save to deny Yoo Kyung-dong.

 

Tajikistan survived another scare in the third minute when Eom Ji-yong weaved his way through the centre before seeing his close-range shot deflected for a corner by captain Dilshod Salomov before Eom Tae-youn struck the post with an angled attempt.

The Central Asian side, however, remained composed and seized the lead in the sixth minute. Nasratsho Ismoilov's cutback from inside the box found Yorov unmarked at the top of the arc, who calmly tucked it home.

 

Tajikistan doubled their tally three minutes later with Bahodur Khojaev gaining possession down the right flank before setting up Sardorov for a sublime finish into the top left corner of the net.

Korea Republic tried to mount a fightback with Tae-youn hitting the post with his effort from the flanks in the 11th minute but their attacking minded approach left them vulnerable at the back with Tajikistan constantly testing goalkeeper Park Jun-su.

 

The East Asian side activated the power play in a last-ditch attempt to reduce the deficit but they could only hit the bar through Kyung-dong’s long range effort as Tajikistan held on to win the tie.