With three points in the bag after their 2-1 win over Oman, the White Wolves can seal their place in the Round of 16 with a win over their neighbours, and continue their impressive record of not missing the knockout stage since 2000.

Speaking ahead of the tie, Cuper said he had been impressed by a Turkmenistan side which led Japan before ultimately losing 3-2 in their opening match.

Uzbekistan led 1-0 at the break following Odil Ahmedov's curling free-kick at the Sharjah Stadium.

Oman, however, clawed their way back into the game when substitute Muhsen Al Ghassani pulled his side level in the 72nd minute.

But with five minutes left, Eldor Shomurodov produced a moment of brilliance after coming on as a second-half substitute to ensure Cuper’s men got their UAE 2019 campaign off to a winning start.

Uzbekistan took time to settle into the match against the pacey West Asians before eventually finding the net through Odil Ahmedov’s strike to lead 1-0 at the break.

Hector Cuper’s men soon found themselves defending deep at the start of the second half and were unable to stop Muhsen Al Ghassani from levelling the tie.

Despite the shift in momentum, the White Wolves were able to carve up a goal with five minutes left after substitute Eldor Shomurodov caught the Omani defence napping to snatch a last-gasp winner.

The win took Uzbekistan to second in the standings behind Japan, who defeated Turkmenistan 3-2 in their opening tie earlier on Wednesday.

Oman started aggressively, as they tested the Uzbekistan defence with several surging runs and in the 14th minute, came close to scoring through Ahmed Al Mahaijri’s header which goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov brilliantly saved.

Oman’s confidence grew as they pegged the White Wolves in their own half and in the 25th minute, Saad Al Mukhaini’s delivery from the right flank sailed invitingly for Raed Saleh but the forward failed to connect.

Amanov opened the scoring for the Central Asians with an impressive first-half thunderbolt, before Japan netted three times after the break to seal a win following what had proved to be a stern test for the four-time Asian champions.

Despite the defeat, and given that Turkmenistan still have two group stage games to play, hope continues to spring eternal for Yazguly Hojageldiyev’s charges – with Amanov now targeting all three points from the Uzbekistan encounter.

Four-time AFC Asian Cup champions Japan raised their game after trailing 1-0 against Turkmenistan at the break but some tweaking by Moriyasu saw a vastly different side in the second half as the Samurai Blue eventually won 3-2.

Oman, having suffered a 2-1 defeat to Uzbekistan in their opener, need a win to keep their hopes alive and head coach Pim Verbeek promised that his team will give it their all at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Four-time champions Japan had to come from behind to defeat Turkmenistan 3-2 in their Group F tie on Wednesday and Nagatomo said it was a lesson well learnt.

"We struggled against Turkmenistan but it was very important for us players to know what the AFC Asian Cup is," said the 32-year-old, who plays for Turkish club Galatasaray.

"We will use the experience gained against Turkmenistan to good effect. We have had three days to prepare for our next match against Oman (on Sunday) and we are confident of a better showing."