Neither side could fashion any clear cut chances in a scrappy encounter at the JAR Stadium and with 70 minutes played the Iraqis seemed content to play for the draw with their delaying tactics proving a constant source of frustration for the home side.

Uzbek coach Vadim Abramov sought to freshen up his attack and brought on Turaev in place of midfielder Pavel Smolyachenko and the move proved to be an inspired one.

A few seconds after entering the fray, the Uzbek forward provided a superbly weighted pass for Temurkhuja Abdukoliqov to fire a powerful low shot past Jalal Hachim in the Iraqi goal and give the home side a 71st minute lead.

The Uzbeks doubled their advantage seven minutes later when Abdukoliqov skilfully spun an Iraqi defender and although his shot was blocked the ball spun into the path of Turaev who sealed the Central Asians' deserved 2-0 win.

Uzbekistan next face the UAE in the Middle East on November 23 while Iraq will be hoping for a better performance when they host Australia on the same day.