UAE bid to keep World Cup hopes alive with victory over Uzbekistan

Timur Kapadze’s Uzbekistan only need to avoid defeat against UAE in their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group A tie to join Islamic Republic of Iran at next year’s global extravaganza

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The UAE stand in Uzbekistan's way with the Central Asian nation on the verge of securing FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time.

The UAE, however, will go into the tie at the Al Nahyan Stadium determined to - at the very least - delay Uzbekistan's celebrations.

Seeking a second appearance at the FIFA World Cup, UAE still have an outside chance of securing an automatic ticket and will have Romanian tactician Cosmin Olariu leading them for the first time.

They sit on 13 points, four behind Uzbekistan but with just two matches remaining, their fate is out of their hands but Olariu has vowed they will do their best to keep their dream of automatic qualification alive.

Stopping history-seeking Uzbekistan won't be easy, with the White Wolves having suffered defeat only once in their qualifying campaign.

The players, said defender Rustam Ashurmatov, are determined to realise the dreams of their nation.

"We give our all in every match. We go to the field only to win. I think our team is capable of this - we will win," said Ashurmatov to local media.