Member Associations - Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA)

Timur Kapadze's side have been in scintillating form throughout the tournament as they look to become the first side to lift the trophy twice.

The-AFC.com takes a look at Uzbekistan's impressive run to the final.

Two years ago, the 42-year-old led Uzbekistan to the final on home soil, only to be denied the title by Saudi Arabia and Kapadze will seek to make amends when his side face Japan in Friday’s AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ final at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

The former midfielder has already etched his name in the annals of Uzbekistan history after guiding them to Olympics qualification but Kapadze is determined to emulate Ravshan Khaydarov, who led the Central Asian side to the AFC U23 Asian Cup title in 2018.

The Central Asian side were simply too strong for Indonesia in their Qatar 2024 semi-final on Monday, with Khusain Norchaev giving them the lead and Pratama Arhan turning the ball into his own net to send Uzbekistan into their third final in four editions.

Up next are Japan, with both teams bidding to become the first side to lift the coveted trophy for a second time.

The victory ensured that Uzbekistan will make their debut in Paris later this year and progress was achieved in style as the 2018 champions picked up a fifth win in as many games without conceding a single goal.

The victory also confirmed Uzbekistan's spot in the Olympics while Indonesia will have to win the third-place playoff on Thursday if they are to book a ticket to Paris 2024.

The Central Asian side needed penalties to defeat Tajikistan to finish third in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024™ on Sunday with Lopez admitting they have a lot to work on before their world challenge.

The debutants have been a revelation, advancing to the knockout stage at Australia and Jordan’s expense before stunning Korea Republic in the quarter-finals. In Uzbekistan, however, they will face their biggest challenge yet.

For tournament debutants Indonesia, the encounter at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium presents them with the opportunity to become the seventh different side to reach the final in history as well as end a 68-year absence from the Olympics.

Meanwhile, 2018 champions Uzbekistan can take another step towards becoming the first two-time winners of this competition and also seal a maiden qualification for the Olympic Games.

It is a showdown that Witan and Rakhmonaliev, both sturdy heads on young shoulders with plenty of experience, are ready for.