It wasn’t supposed to be this way for Uzbekistan. The Asian Cup quarter-finalists were the most impressive team of the third round of qualification. It was fully-expected that they would battle it out at the top with Japan and Australia rather than be struggling at the bottom with Bahrain, goal.com reported.

All hope is not lost but second place now looks too far away. Third place is now the realistic target after a home loss against the Socceroos and an away defeat at Qatar. A draw in Japan was a good result but it remains to be seen if it is too little, too late.

Coach Mirdjlalal Kasimov may be regretting leaving Bunyodkor for the national team job and the pressure is really on this young coach.

If that wasn’t enough reason to win, the Uzbeks still have 2005 to avenge. Then the Central Asians hosted Bahrain in a play-off for the final World Cup play-off. That episode, when Uzbekistan were leading 1-0 in the home leg and had been given a penalty, only for a replay to be ordered after a refereeing mistake, still rankles.

Visitors Must Not lose

Bahrain have been in decent form at home of late, even defeating Japan for the second time in the space of a year recently and they looked good when drawing 2-2 in a friendly with South Korea last week.

Milan Macala’s men were unlucky to lose against Australia in the last minute of the previous game and almost came back to snatch a point against Japan after being 3-0 down. Their record away form home is not so great.

A defeat would leave them three points behind Qatar and Uzbekistan at the half way stage with two trips to Australia and Japan to come.

World Cup Form Guide

Uzbekistan

06 Sep 2008 - Qatar (A) Lost 3-0
10 Sep 2008 - Australia (H) Lost 1-0
15 Oct 2008 - Japan (A) Drew 1-1

Bahrain

06 Sep 2008- Japan (H) Lost 3-2
10 Sep 2009 -Qatar (A) Drew 1-1
19 Nov 2008 Australia (H) Lost 1-0

Team News

Uzbekistan - No injuries for the hosts who have summoned a strong squad made up mostly of players from the local and Russian league.

Bahrain - the visitors have some injury problems. With Rashid Al Sheroogi, Hamad Faisal, Mahmood Al Ojaimi, Abdulrahman Mubarak and Ibahim Al Muqla.

Players to Watch

Uzbekistan - Maksim Shatskikh. The striker and talisman of the team has scored the only goal of the round so far and needs to start showing why he is one of Asia’s most feared strikers. The Dinamo Kiev frontman has long been feted as a man to get a goal when it matter most. It matters now.

Bahrain: Salman Isa is a winger who can play in a variety of positions. Sometimes it just seems that way as he never stops running. The 30 year-old also has experience of a big occasion - and sometimes comes up with a goal or two.

Prediction: Home advantage, huge motivation to win and perhaps a stronger team all point to an Uzbekistan triumph 2-0.