Kyrgyzstan hold UAE, Japan and South Korea celebrate WC qualification with big wins

Kyrgyzstan’s never-say-die attitude saw them grab a last-gasp goal to hold UAE to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Group A tie on Tuesday.

Kyrgyzstan’s late salvo at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium saw them end their campaign on eight points while Cosmin Olaroiu continues to wait for his first win as UAE head coach with his side finishing on 15 points.

With UAE’s progress to the playoffs and Kyrgyzstan’s elimination already decided going into the match, the game saw a cagey start before the visitors stole into the lead at the half hour mark.

Valerii Kichin was dispossessed by Luanzinho at the halfway line, with the UAE midfielder driving forward before laying the ball off for Harib Abdalla to strike home past the advancing Erzhan Tokotaev.

Abdalla was once again put through in the 41st minute but this time Tokotaev was quicker to react, forcing the forward to drag his shot wide.

Deep into first half added time, Kichin went close to making amends for his earlier error when he produced a low shot from distance that UAE custodian Ali Al Hosani reacted well to push onto the box.

Kyrgyzstan emerged after the interval a different side as they looked to put more pressure on the UAE defence.

Ermek Kenzhenbaev’s attempt from distance took multiple deflections and was easily claimed by Al Hosani before Joel Kojo set up Kimi Merk inside the box, only for the latter to crash his shot against a UAE defender. With 10 minutes of regulation time remaining, Kojo had a close range header caught by Al Hosani but Kyrgyzstan fought until the very end, eventually finding the equaliser through Kai Merk in stoppage time.

Uzbekistan closed their campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Qatar.

Timur Kapadze’s men, who have already booked their spot in their first FIFA World Cup Finals, finished with 21 points from 10 matches.

Qatar will have to navigate the playoffs, where two additional places at next year’s global showpiece are up for grabs. The West Asians finished fourth in Group A with 13 points.

Uzbekistan dominated Qatar after a slow start, with early chances from Amro Syrag, Husniddin Aliqulov, and Eldor Shomurodov. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Azizbek Turgunboev beat two defenders and blasted a shot in off the bar, leaving Salah Zakaria helpless. Shomurodov and Jaloliddin Masharipov kept Qatar under pressure, with Masharipov nearly scoring after the break.

Zakaria made several key saves, including denying Khojiakbar Alijonov in the 63rd minute. Shomurodov doubled the lead in the 86th minute, controlling a long pass and finishing clinically. Igor Sergeev sealed the 3–0 win in stoppage time with a close-range header shortly after coming on. Zakaria’s efforts in goal kept the score respectable for Qatar.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace forward Daichi Kamada scored twice for Japan and Paris Saint Germain’s Lee Kang-in netted for South Korea as the Asian giants rounded off successful World Cup qualifying campaigns in style.

Japan romped to a 6-0 thrashing of Patrick Kluivert’s Indonesia in Osaka, while South Korea cruised to a 4-0 win over Kuwait in Seoul where fans were treated to a late appearance by their idol Son Heung-min.

FA Cup winner Kamada struck twice in the first half for already qualified Japan, who finished as Group C winners.

Takefusa Kubo, Ryoya Morishita, Shuto Machino and substitute Mao Hosoya were also on target against Indonesia, who came fourth in the group and moved on to a further qualifying round.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has set the ambitious target of winning next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Moriyasu said his players need to keep improving “in all departments” and praised their attitude against Indonesia.

“The challenge for the players is to break past their limits and grow,” he said.

Wang Yudong’s 90th-minute penalty enabled already eliminated China to avoid finishing bottom of Group C with a consolation 1-0 win over Bahrain in Chongqing.