Kyrgyz Republic will be aiming for a historic result when they challenge one of Asia’s perennial heavyweights at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium.

Japan are four-time Asian champions with players dotted throughout the major leagues of Europe, while visits from such illustrious opponents to Kyrgyz Republic have been few and far between since the national team played its first international fixture in 1992.

Tajikistan, meanwhile, will look to bounce back against Myanmar after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Japan last time out.

With the second round of the Qualifiers reaching the halfway stage, it promises to be an exciting day of matches on Thursday and the-AFC.com picks six matches to look out for.

With high stakes fixtures on the agenda all over the Continent, the-AFC.com scrutinises some of the key facts and figures ahead of the 32-match extravaganza to come.

With only the eight group winners and four best runners-up advancing to the final round of Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, there will be no room for slip-ups.

The same applies for the final stage of the Asian Qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023, with the 12 next best-placed teams advancing to the third round. Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the eight groups stand.

Uzbekistan 3-1 Kyrgyz Republic

Both sides used the match to prepare for key Asian Qualifiers in the week ahead, with Uzbekistan to host Saudi Arabia on Thursday, while Kyrgyz Republic are set to face Japan in Bishkek.

Pakhtakor duo Igor Sergeev and Dostonbek Khamdanov made the most of their familiar surrounds to find the back of the net before Jamshid Iskanderov slotted an excellent third for Uzbekistan, with Farkhat Musabkeov getting his name on the scoresheet for the visitors, who remain winless in eight attempts against their neighbours.

Alimardon Shukurov, 20, and Gulzhigit Alykulov, 18, had tongues wagging after their outstanding performances on Thursday, with both players netting their first senior international goals as the Central Asian side revived their Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 campaign after last month’s 1-0 defeat against Tajikistan.

Bernhardt, 33, has seen plenty of players come and go in his 15-year professional career, but he believes the Akshumkar could have something special on their hands with the dynamic duo.