Kyrgyz Republic almost caused an early problem for Uzbekistan when captain Valerii Kichin sent a ball from deep into the box for Eldiyar Zarypbekov, whose dangerous cut back across the face of goal was cleared by Araz Abdullayev.

Uzbekistan missed an opportunity to take the lead in the third minute when Khojiakbar Alijonov crossed the ball to an unmarked Farruh Sayfiyev, who couldn’t steer his header on target. 

Uzbekistan continued to press with Jaloliddin Masharipov forcing a fine save from keeper Erzhan Tokotayev off a free-kick in the 11th minute, while Abbosbek Fayzullaev came close when he cut through into the box only to fire his shot agonisingly wide of the right post moments later.

Kyrgyz Republic were almost caught napping in the 19th minute when Fayzullaev sent a delightful lob into the box for Masharipov, only for the Esteghlal FC forward to angle his tame header straight to Tokotayev.

Kyrgyz Republic suffered a setback in the 24th minute when Said Datsiev received his marching orders for his tackle on Alijonov inside the box, but Tokotayev guessed the right way to save Eldor Shomurodov’s spot-kick.

Uzbekistan finally went ahead in the 40th minute when Masharipov played the ball into the box for Fayzullaev, who set up Alijonov to plant the ball into the back of the net despite Tokotayev’s best efforts. 

Kyrgyz Republic came under heavy attack in the second half with Odiljon Hamrobekov, Rustamjon Ashurmatov and Shomurodov all having their efforts foiled with the AS Roma forward’s having his goal in the 69th minute ruled out for offside.

Uzbekistan came close to doubling their lead in the 75th minute after Fayzullaev evaded his marker down the right before flashing a cross into the path of Otabek Shukurov, whose close range effort was foiled by Kichin but it didn’t matter as Timur Kapadze’s side stayed firmly on track for a debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup. 

Uzbekistan will play Iran on Tuesday while Kyrgyz Republic take on Qatar.