CNN
—
Uzbekistan qualified for its debut soccer World Cup on Thursday night, becoming the first ever Central Asian country to make it to the sport’s global showpiece.
A 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi secured the White Wolves a top-two finish in Group A of Asian Qualifiers, and a ticket to the tournament next summer in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov’s six saves, including a last-second stop, guaranteed his team a priceless point, to proceed with one game of qualifying remaining.
Fans celebrated the news across the soccer-obsessed nation, with people taking to the streets to…
