South Korean drew with Uzbekistan 2-2 in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, missing a chance to take control of Group A in Asia.
Uzbekistan, desperate for a victory after gaining only a point in two matches, took the early lead on an own goal from Ki Sung-yuengi in the 13th minute after a corner. Lee Dong-gook then fired a shot just over the bar five minutes later before South Korea drew even thanks to Kwak Tae-hwi in the 44th. Goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov failed to collect a free kick from Ki and Kwak headed home the equalizer.
South Korea took the lead in the second half after Lee scored in the 58th, but a minute later Uzbekistan's Sanzhar Tursunov leveled on header from a corner.
Both teams pressed in the final half hour, with each having several good chances in injury time. A shot from Tursunov rolled across the goalmouth and Kim Bo-kyung's free kick was punched out by Nesterov.
''Uzbekistan played better than I thought they would. They scored early and had the advantage,'' South Korea Coach Choi Kang-hee said. ''I hope that we will play better in the upcoming matches, but I am satisfied with the result.''
Uzbekistan coach Mirdjalal Kasimov said he was happy with his side's performance, despite the fact the draw leaves it bottom of Group A. The team has struggled with injuries of late and was without four key players for the match, including midfielder Odil Akhmedov. It also has a new coach after firing Vadim Abramov after it lost to Iran in its first qualifying match.
''I want to thank the players and the fans, the boys played until the last minute. We had chances to score the winning goal, but we could also have conceded, so I am pleased with the result,'' Kasimov said. ''We had prepared well for the Korean style of play and we were able to keep the ball successfully in the first half. But Korea is a strong team, and after they equalized, the game changed.''
South Korea now leads Group A with seven points followed by Iran, Lebanon and Qatar on four points. Uzbekistan is last with two points.
