AFC - Korea Republic took a huge step towards an eighth consecutive FIFA World Cup finals appearance as Akmal Shorakhmedov’s first-half own goal secured a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan on Tuesday to leave the Taeguk Warriors in sole possession of top spot in Group A with just one game.

Shorakhmedov headed Kim Young-gwon’s cross into his own net two minutes before half-time at Seoul World Cup Stadium to hand Korea a fourth win of the final round of qualifiers for Brazil 2014.

And having begun the penultimate round of fixtures level on points with Uzbekistan at the top of Group A, Choi Kang-hee’s side know a point against Iran in Ulsan next week will seal the 2002 semi-finalists a ninth FIFA World Cup finals appearance overall.

With persistent rain beginning before kick-off at Seoul World Cup Stadium, both sides quickly adapted to the conditions and an entertaining first quarter of an hour saw possession evenly spread although clear cut chances were at a premium.

And it took a long range effort from Uzbekistan’s Anzur Ismailov to register the first genuine shot on target after 17 minutes as Korea goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong produced an eye-catching save to turn the rising effort to safety.

Korea, though, should have taken the lead just two minutes later as reigning AFC Player of the Year Lee Keun-ho found space in behind the Uzbekistan defence, but with the goal at his mercy and only goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov to beat, the 2012 AFC Champions League winner inexplicably scuffed his shot wide.

Jung was then forced to deal with another speculative effort, this time from Ulugbek Bakaev, with the Korea goalkeeper taking no chances given the conditions and pushing the dipping strike to safety midway through the first half before the striker failed to find the target from a Server Djeparov cross.

Nesterov then kept the scores level with a brave point blank save at the feet of Lee Myung-joo three minutes before the break.

But after the resulting corner was only eventually cleared as far as Kim, the right wing cross from the Guangzhou Evergrande full-back was headed into his own net Shorakhmedov with Nesterov given no chance.

Kim warmed the gloves of Nesterov four minutes into the second half before Timur Kapadze blazed over the crossbar from a promising position for the visitors following good work from Djeparov just before the hour mark.

Son Heung-min was denied a superb individual goal midway through the first half before Nesterov kept Uzbekistan within touching distance by beating away Kwak Tae-hwi’s point blank header from the resulting corner.

With time running out for Uzbekistan Odil Akhmedov’s long range effort with 15 minutes remaining was comfortably dealt with by Jung either side of Alexander Geynrikh and Sanjar Tursunov being introduced by visiting coach Mirdjalal Kasimov.

But Korea held firm in the closing stages to leave Uzbekistan’s hopes of a maiden FIFA World Cup finals appearance in the balance ahead of next week’s meeting with Qatar in Tashkent.