Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  Uzbekistan survived a tough encounter against DPR Korea to emerge 1-0 victors in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A match on Tuesday.

Having lost to Qatar on Thursday, the win was a welcome rebound for Srecko Katanec’s side as they moved to 13 points to take another step towards realising their dream of a place at the FIFA World Cup Finals for the first time.

Despite missing stalwart Eldor Shomurodov who suffered a groin injury against Qatar, Uzbekistan started on the front foot with Akmal Mozgovoy testing Kang Ju Hyok from distance in the 11th minute.

DPR Korea struggled to get out of their own half but apart from a wayward Khusniddin Alikulov header and a speculative long range effort from Khojiakbar Alijonov, were able to restrict Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan's dominance continued to grow and they eventually carved out a good opening in the 30th minute when DPR Korea failed to clear an Abbosbek Fayzullaev corner kick and in the scramble, Umarbek Eshmurodov smashed his shot over from close range.

The East Asians were in desperate need of a reprieve and it came with the introduction of Kye Tam for Ri Un Chol in the 34th minute with the midfielder serving a warning to Uzbekistan two minutes later with a curling low shot that had Utkir Yusupov beaten but just missed the target.

However, the reprieve was short lived as Uzbekistan went into the break ahead when Fayzullaev continued his goal-scoring form in the 44th minute when his shot from outside the box took a deflection to land in the net past a rooted Kang.

The Central Asians should have doubled their lead eight minutes into the second half after Bobir Abdixolikov was put through on goal but he side-footed his effort agonisingly wide of the post.

Just like it was against Islamic Republic of Iran on Thursday, DPR Korea improved after the interval and their persistence looked to have been rewarded  when they were awarded a penalty in the 85th minute following Eshmurodov’s handball for which he was shown the red card.

Jong Il Gwan’s penalty, however, was saved by Yusupov as Uzbekistan held on for the win.

When the Qualifiers resume in March, Uzbekistan will host Kyrgyz Republic with DPR Korea going away to face Qatar.