Draw delivers ‘minimum requirement’ for Uzbeks

And with Uzbekistan hosting Tuesday’s second leg in Tashkent, Kasimov’s side are favourites to remain on course for a maiden FIFA World Cup appearance by advancing to November’s intercontinental play-off with South American opposition.

“Jordan are a good team and they showed that. We saw they had fantastic support and that helped Jordan play well, but we were very good and in the first half we were better than our opponent,” said Kasimov prior to heading to Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport for a direct flight back to Tashkent.

“In the second half we lost control and that allowed Jordan to attack more, but I am satisfied with the players.

“We achieved the minimum goal and now I believe we will do our job in Tashkent and qualify for the next round. It will be decided in Tashkent, but with our supporters we will play for them and I believe we will qualify.”

“They have good quality players and Odai Al Saify and Abdallah Deeb did a better job when they came on as substitutes in the second half, but I still believe we will do what we need to in Tashkent.”