AFC Asian Qualifiers - Katanec wants Uzbekistan to aim for perfect finish

Vientiane: Their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 destiny is back in their hands and head coach Srecko Katanec has challenged his Uzbekistan side to aim for a perfect 12 points from their remaining Group A matches.

Abbosbek Fayzullaev’s 44th minute strike earned the Central Asian side a 1-0 win against a resilient DPR Korea on Tuesday as Uzbekistan moved to 13 points, three behind leaders Islamic Republic of Iran but, crucially, three ahead of third-placed United Arab Emirates with the top two teams to earn automatic qualification to the FIFA World Cup 26.

#AsianQualifiers - Road To 26 | Group A : DPR Korea 0 - 1 Uzbekistan

“We have 13 points out of a possible 18. We have four more matches to go and we will try to get 12 points. I always tell the players to fight until the end. There should be no thinking that we will qualify early.

“Of course, it would be good if we get the World Cup ticket early but we are ready to fight till the end. It's not easy to win 10 games, especially when important players are absent,” said Katanec, whose side are seeking to qualify for the global showpiece for the first time.

Having lost in heartbreaking fashion to Qatar on Thursday, there was fear that Uzbekistan would find DPR Korea difficult to break down but Katanec was pleased with how his players responded.

“We played well in the first half, not giving the opponents any chance. In the second half, if Bobir Abdixolikov had taken advantage of the situation, the game could have been easy. Fortunately, (goalkeeper) Utkir Yusupov saved the penalty and we were able to record the result we needed.

“We came without some leading players but those who replaced them were able to show a very good game,” added the Slovenian, whose side will face Kyrgyz Republic in March.

A fourth defeat for DPR Korea meant they remained on two points and almost surely out of the running for the top two spots, with the East Asian side having much to do if they are to secure one of the playoff spots.

“We played a very difficult game today. My players used all their strength on the field and I am grateful to them. Unfortunately, the result was not what we wanted,” said head coach Sin Yong Nam.

“Uzbekistan are very tough opponents. We played well but luck was not on our side. Too many wasted chances and missed penalties. We will continue to fight until the last match of the qualifying round.”

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