North Korea traveled to Khujand to face Tajikistan in both teams' final 2014 FIFA World Cup appearance. Both teams were eliminated, but the unofficial world championship (held by North Korea) was up for grabs. The first half of the title bout was goalless.Eight minutes into the second period, the unofficial world champions were able to convert a penalty kick. Tajikistan responded eight minutes later with their first goal in AFC Third Round play and only their second goal in their eight total qualifying matches. Surprisingly, Tajikistan were able to hold on to secure their first positive result out of their eight matches (they advanced out of round two with two losses after Syria were disqualified), but the draw was enough for North Korea to retain their unofficial world championship.
Uzbekistan made the trip to Toyota to face Japan four days after being soundly beaten 4-2 in a friendly against South Korea. Japan was in control in the first half, and Shinji Okazaki almost turned the control into an advantage on the scoreboard, but in the twenty-first minute his shot curled into crossbar. A couple other opportunities went begging, and the match remained 0-0 after forty-five minutes.
In the second period, Uzbekistan was still looking to strike on the counterattack. Just before ten minutes had passed, Uzbekistan intercepted a pass in their own penalty area and immediately pushed forward. The resulting break ended up being five Uzbeks against four Japanese, an inexcusable lack of effort being shown by the other Japanese players. With room to operate, a cross was whipped into the danger zone, and although Eiji Kawashima made the first save, Aleksandr Shadrin (pictured, white) was there for the easy rebound goal, his first for the national team. Uzbekistan won the match by that 1-0 scoreline and were the only one of the twenty teams in the AFC Third Round that went through their six matches without suffering a loss. Uzbekistan won in the home of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup winners in spite of having five players suspended for the match.
Goals
North Korea
Jang Song Hyok 53 PK
Tajikistan
Akhtam Khamrakulov 61
Uzbekistan
Aleksandr Shadrin 54
Match Reports:
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSBkJ5guMC4 (Uzbekistan v. Japan)
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