The home side were made to toil for the win in a tight game in which Lyudmila Karachik carved out an early sight of goal for the visitors, goalkeeper Malena Mieres plucking the ball out of the sky in the 12th minute.

City’s Taylor Otto met Leticia McKenna’s corner in the 16th minute, nodding the ball to the left of the target, while captain Rebekah Stott also threatened, her header off target as well, as Nasaf’s well-organised defence held firm.

However, in the 38th minute the opener arrived. Bryleeh Henry was released into the penalty area, the forward cutting the ball back from the right side to McNamara, whose initial attempt was blocked by Maftuna Shoyimova.

But, as the ball looped into the air, the Australia international headed the rebound home despite the best efforts of Laylo Tilovova.

It took just four minutes for the side from Uzbekistan to level. A defensive mix-up saw possession end up at the feet of Mamatkarimova and she gleefully clipped the ball over the head of Mieres for the equaliser.

McNamara was denied a second in the first minute of time added on at the end of the half when Maftuna Jonimqulova stuck out her left foot to redirect the Melbourne City forward’s attempt to beat the goalkeeper at her near post.

Jonimqulova gathered Aideen Keane’s attempt five minutes after the restart and the 24-year-old saw a headed effort blocked by the defence. Keane then rattled the crossbar with a strike on the run as she raced towards goal with 10 minutes remaining.

The Nasaf goalkeeper was on hand to push away Danella Butrus’ late volley but, as extra time loomed, Uchendu struck to take the A-League outfit into the last four.