June 23 (Reuters) - Mirjalal Kasymov resigned as Uzbekistan coach on Tuesday following their 4-2 loss to North Korea in their opening World Cup qualifier a week ago with Pakhtakor Tashkent boss Samvel Babayan replacing him.
Bakhtiyor Ashurmatov also stepped down as coach of the under-23 side with Viktor Jalilov taking over, the Uzbekistan Football Federation said.
Babayan led Pakhtakor to their 10th Uzbek title last year after going through the campaign unbeaten with the club on course to defend the title as they sit top coming up to the halfway point.
He will be tasked with steering Uzbekistan to top spot in Group H, which also features Philippines, Bahrain and Yemen, to ensure they take part in the third stage of Asian qualifying for Russia 2018.