Uzbekistan beats Bahrain in Tashkent

Asian-Football September 3 Uzbekistan kept alive their dreams of a first FIFA World Cup™ finals appearance as they secured a 1-0 home win over Bahrain in the opening leg of the Asian Zone play-off on Saturday. Mirdjalal Kasimov's early goal gives Bobby Houghton's side a narrow advantage to defend when the sides meet in the return leg in Manama on Wednesday. After leaving Tashkent empty-handed, Bahrain now have to score two clear goals to see off the side they defeated on penalties in the quarter-final of last year's AFC Asian Cup and set up a two-legged play-off against the fourth team from the CONCACAF region in November. This was Uzbekistan coach Houghton's second win in as many competitive matches since taking over, having previously led his new charges through their decisive final group match against Kuwait when the Central Asians came back from two goals down to win 3-2. Kasimov, Uzbekistan's set-piece specialist, proved the difference between the sides, scoring the only goal after 12 minutes from an Anvarjon Soliev cross from the right. The home side controlled the first half but in a more even second half both sides had chances but failed to add to the scoreline.