Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) --  Ten-man Uzbekistan edged closer to a place in the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 quarter-finals with a gritty 1-0 victory over Iraq at Bunyodkor Stadium on Saturday.

With six points to their name, the tournament hosts only have to avoid defeat against Indonesia in their final match to advance while Iraq's hopes now depend on them defeating Syria.

Driven by over 30,000 enthusiastic fans at Bunyodkor Stadium The White Wolves dominated for extended spells of the first half, but it was Iraq who had the first attempt after Ali Jasim danced his way past a couple of Uzbek defenders before laying the ball off to captain Abdulrazzaq Qasim whose shot from just outside the box was deflected off a defender and went behind.

Uzbekistan’s response was emphatic and produced the first goal of the night after 17 minutes when Qasim failed to deal with Nodirbek Abdurazzaqov’s cross, allowing his opposite captain Umarali Rahmonaliyev to pick up the ball inside the box before Polatkhoja Kholdorkhonov hit it on the half-volley into the Iraqi net.

Qasim looked to make amends with an effort from 25 yards out which gave Uzbek goalkeeper Otabek Boymurodov a scare but kept swerving wide, just missing the target eventually.

Ten minutes before the break, the prelude to a game-changing moment took place as coach Ravshan Khaydarov introduced Shakhzodbek Rahmatullayev for Abdurazzaqov. The substitute’s stay on Bunyodkor’s pitch lasted just nine minutes as he was sent back for an early shower, seeing red after a reckless challenge on Jasim.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the hosts continued to take the attacking initiative after the restart and were only denied a second goal by a flying Hussein Hassan save three minutes into the second half to parry away Abduqodir Khusanov’s excellent free-kick from 30 yards out.

Iraq regrouped and looked to find an equaliser, with substitute Esmaeil Ahmed threatening from range and Kadhim Raad coming within inches of bringing his side level, his powerful drive cannoning against the junction of the woodwork 15 minutes from time.

Relying on the counter-attack, Uzbekistan had a golden chance to seal the victory in the 79th minute when they found themselves in a 3 v 2 situation inside Iraq’s half with Kholdorkhonov finding Rahmonaliyev who had just the goalkeeper to beat, but drilled his shot inches wide of the post.

A late sequence of Iraqi attacks produced no goals thanks to some resilient defending from Khaydarov’s men who walked away with the three points.

Next up for Uzbekistan will be a date with the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup™ hosts Indonesia where a point will be enough for the White Wolves to secure the top spot while the Indonesians will need a win to have a chance of advancing to the next round.

Iraq’s hopes remain alive with a win against neighbours Syria on Matchday Three enough to send them to the quarter-finals.