Uzbekistan qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time at the eighth attempt after a 0-0 draw with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov made a trio of second-half saves to ensure the Uzbeks picked up the point required to secure progress from Asian Group A alongside Iran, who have already qualified.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev had hit the crossbar with a 54th-minute header for the visitors, but it was Yusupov who frustrated the Cosmin Olaroiu-coached Emiratis, who needed to win to maintain their hopes of automatic qualification.
The draw means the UAE will now progress to the fourth round of qualifying as the point earned guarantees a third- or fourth-placed finish in Group A.
Indonesia guaranteed their involvement in the World Cup preliminaries would continue into the fourth round as a 1-0 win over China also ended the qualification hopes of Branko Ivankovic’s side.
Ole Romeny’s 45th-minute penalty separated the sides in Jakarta to ensure Indonesia would finish in either third or fourth place in Group C, thereby progressing to the next phase, which will be played in October.
