Key men return for replay

Reuters October 6 Uzbekistan and Bahrain welcome back key strikers for the replayed first leg of their controversial Asian World Cup play-off qualifier in Tashkent this weekend. The home side have been boosted by the return of talisman Alexander Geynrikh for a match the Uzbekis did not want to have to replay. FIFA overturned last month's 1-0 victory by Uzbekistan after a bizarre refereeing error from Japanese official Toshimitsu Yoshida. Uzbekistan were leading 1-0 and were awarded a penalty after 38 minutes, which was converted. Yoshida however disallowed the goal because he spotted another Uzbekistan player encroaching into the penalty area when the kick was taken. Under Law 14, he should have ordered the kick to be re-taken but instead he awarded Bahrain a free-kick. Yoshida has been suspended indefinitely by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Geynrikh, who limped out of the September 3 match, is expected to play alongside Dynamo Kiev's Maksim Shatskikh in a powerful attack. Bahrain's front line will be bolstered by the inclusion of A'ala Hubail. The quick-footed striker was joint top scorer at the 2004 Asian Cup but has only just returned to fitness after a lengthy knee injury. Uzbekistan coach Bobby Houghton was confident of a repeat victory this weekend. "We have our strongest possible team at this moment," said the Englishman. "We have learned enough about Bahrain. Experience tells me we won't lose." Houghton's counterpart Luka Peruzovic said Hubail could give Bahrain the edge. "It's great news for us that he's back," said Peruzovic. "Very few players can make a difference in such games but Hubail is certainly one of them." Hubail, though, played down his return and said he was unlikely to make a big impact. "I don't think I'm near my best form yet. I'm around 80 per cent back," said the 23-year-old, who damaged knee ligaments in February. "It will take time. I was out for eight months." The second leg will be played in Manama on Wednesday. The winners will face the team that finishes fourth in the CONCACAF zone final group in a two-legged playoff in November to decide who qualifies for the World Cup finals in Germany next year. Japan, South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia have already secured Asia's four automatic spots.