SINGAPORE: Uzbekistan can take a huge step towards becoming the first Central Asian team to reach the World Cup when they host Jordan in the second leg of their Asian play-off today.
The Uzbeks brought home a precious away goal from last week’s 1-1 draw, giving them the edge as they seek to reach an intercontinental showdown against a team from South America.
Uzbekistan have been this far before, only to see their hopes dashed by some bizarre officiating in the 2005 play-offs against Bahrain.
But Friday’s draw in Amman, where Jordan beat Asian giants Japan and Australia earlier in qualifying, has raised hopes of better luck this time for the White Wolves.
“We achieved the minimum goal and now I believe we will do our job in Tashkent and qualify for the next round,” said Uzbek coach Mirdjalal Kasimov.
It will be decided in Tashkent, but with our supporters we will play for them and I believe we will qualify,” he added, according to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website. afp
