UAE and Uzbekistan play draw at Asian Qualifiers as Australia, Jordan close in

Uzbekistan qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history on Thursday as a 0-0 draw with the UAE in Abu Dhabi ensured Timur Kapadze’s side claimed a top two finish in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers as Australia and Jordan moved to the verge of booking berths in North America.

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Jordan moved to the cusp of qualification as Ali Olwan’s hat-trick delivered a 3-0 win over Oman in Muscat.

A trio of saves by goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov kept the Emiratis at bay in the second half to take Uzbekistan onto 18 points from nine games and maintain their four-point lead over third-placed UAE with only Tuesday's matches remaining in the third phase of qualifying.

The qualification is Uzbekistan's first in eight attempts since the Central Asian nation joined the Asian Football Confederation. The UAE, meanwhile, will advance to the fourth phase of qualifying, where new head coach Cosmin Olaroiu will continue the nation’s attempt to book a FIFA World Cup berth for the first time since 1990.

With the UAE needing a win to keep alive their hopes of automatic qualification alongside Group A leaders the Iran, it was Fabio Lima who had an early sight of goal for the hosts, the striker shooting straight at Yusupov.