Uzbekistan needed a late penalty to defeat Turkmenistan 1-0 in their Group A opener, with substitute Ulugbek Khoshimov converting from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute.

Having overcome their opening day jitters, Uzbekistan turned on the style against Qatar as captain Jasurbek Jaloliddinov, Hojimat Erkinov, Husain Norchaev, Ulugbek Khoshimov and Ruslanbek Jiyanov all found the back of the net with the unfortunate Yousef Ayman scoring an own goal.

With their knockout stage spot confirmed after Matchday Two, Uzbekistan fielded a much-changed lineup for their clash against Islamic Republic of Iran, with Jurakuziyev Otabek giving them the lead before IR Iran forced a draw through Arya Yousefi's equaliser.

The hosts were tested to the brim by Iraq, with Timur Kapadze's reduced to 10 men following goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov's sending off within 13 minutes. 

Wakaa Ramadhan gave Iraq the lead from the subsequent penalty but Uzbekistan fought back to draw level through Jasurbek Jaloliddinov's stoppage time spot-kick with the hosts then taking the lead following an own goal by Iraq defender Hussein Ammar.

Iraq, however, forced extra-time with Ammar Ghaleb equalising but Uzbekistan were the more composed side in the penalty shoot-out, winning 3-2.

Second half goals from Jasurbek Jaloliddinov and Husain Norchaev secured the hosts a well deserved 2-0 win over a Japan side who simply could not find any answers at the Bunyodkor Stadium.