Uzbekistan put themselves in pole position for the April 23, AFC/CAF Playoff in Coventry, England after coming from a goal down to defeat Syria 2-1 on Tuesday, two days after Oman had conceded an equaliser five minutes into second-half stoppage-time to draw 1-1 with the same opposition.

And it is these results that mean a draw will favour the Uzbeks while Oman have no option other than to win if they are to keep their Olympic dream alive...a scenario that could leave them vulnerable at the back as they chase the goals needed to take them through to the next stage.

"All of us are thinking only about the win and are not even contemplating the draw," the talented 22-year-old told www.the-afc.com.

"But we are in a better situation because we know Oman must win and therefore must attack which could open them up and make it easier for us to play against them."

Tuhtahujaev, who was an ever-present during Neftchi's 2009 AFC Cup campaign, has previously played against Thursday's opponents and is confident the Uzbeks will prevail even if he doesn't agree with Oman coach Paul Le Guen's assessment that the Central Asians went into the three-team tournament as overwhelming favourites.

"We Played against Oman two times and both and played very well, particularly in the first game," he said.

"I don't think they are better than us although one of their strengths is their technique. "I don't agree that we are necessarily the favourites as we all came to this tournament with the same chance to qualify. Oman have a number of players that have already played in the senior team and we too have a number of candidates for the Uzbekistan 'A' side."

Although Uzbekistan came to Hanoi as 'favourites' in the eyes of most observers, they looked out of sorts against Syria and conceded a sloppy 14th minute opener before the men from the Middle East started to struggle as the exertions of having to play two games in 48 hours took its toll.

Recalling Syria's early goal, which came when Yasser Shahen latched on to a long clearance from keeper Ibrahim Alma and calmly lifted the ball over Uzbek custodian Akbar Turaev, Tuhtahujaev, pictured in action against the Syrians, added:

"There are two points about that goal. The first is that we had a lapse in concentration and the second is they had a bit of luck. I don't think the goal came from any great attack or tactics and it was just a little bit of luck for them."

Luck...maybe...but it is exactly the type of situation Tuhtahujaev and his defensive team-mates must be ready for if they are to advance to the AFC/CAF Playoff at the expense of Oman.