Khalil put UAE ahead in the 33rd minute before Uzbekistan levelled the scores in the 64th minute through Kenja Turaev.

However, Khalil sealed the win for UAE when he fired home his second with 18 minutes remaining.

Uzbekistan had the first chance of the game after just two minutes when Murod Khalmuhamedov’s free-kick was pushed away for a corner by UAE goalkeeper Yousif Abdulrahman.

UAE began to get into the game and produced their first shot on goal in the 11th minute when Rashed Essa’s effort was punched to safety by Uzbekistan goalkeeper Doniyorjon Usmonov.

The pace of the game slowed down somewhat after that with chances at a premium but the deadlock was broken shortly after the half-hour mark.

UAE were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal and Khalil stepped up to send a well-placed shot into the top left corner of the net.

Uzbekistan offered an almost immediate response two minutes later when Sunnatilla Mamadaliyev produced a stunning drive from outside the area that had Abdulrahman beaten but the ball slammed against the crossbar.

Uzbekistan came out after the break strong and controlled the game as Theyab Awana saw his shot sail over the crossbar in the 54th minute.

But UAE were dangerous on the counterattack and three minutes later threatened to extend their lead when Ahmed Ali broke into the penalty area only for his left-foot drive to hit the side netting.

Uzbekistan continued to have further chances to equalise as Fozil Musaev’s shot went just wide seconds before Kenja Turaev tried his luck from outside the area but his effort failed to hit the target.

But they finally equalised in the 64th minute when Sherzodbek Karimov’s corner was headed on by Sherzod Azamov to Kenja Turaev, who put the ball in the back of the net from a close range.

However, Uzbekistan’s joy lasted just eight minutes as Ahmed Ali’s strong shot was saved by Usmonov but Khalil was on hand to fire home the follow up.

Khalil should have completed his hat-trick six minutes before the end when he edged past Usmonov but compounded to put the ball over the crossbar with the empty goalmouth beckoning.