Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan continued their fine form in the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, defeating Hong Kong, China 3-0 on Tuesday to seal early progression.

Eldor Shomurodov’s 40th international goal gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute at Bunyodkor Stadium before second-half goals from substitutes Khojimat Erkinov and Oston Urunov sealed the Uzbeks’ third win in four Group E games.
 
Uzbekistan’s spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals was confirmed following Islamic Republic of Iran’s 1-0 win over Turkmenistan in the group’s other tie, which also ensured they advanced. 

The Central Asians broke the deadlock from a break in the 20th minute when Abbosbek Fayzullaev provided the cross from the right for Shomurodov to score from inside the box and make it two goals in as many matches on his return from injury. 
 
The duo combined again in the 26th minute, but Shomurodov’s shot was tame, allowing goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai to collect comfortably before the Uzbekistan captain was stopped by a last-ditch tackle from Oliver Gerbig inside the box after being played through by Jaloliddin Masharipov in the 30th minute.
 
Fayzullaev’s shot sailed inches over the bar in the 37th minute as Uzbekistan failed to add to their one-goal advantage before the half-time interval.

Yapp had to react quickly to divert a Husniddin Aliqulov cross that was veering towards goal in the 48th minute before he sprang into action again seconds later to stop a powerful shot from Urunov, who had replaced Shomurodov at the break.
 
Michael Udebuluzor shot straight at Uzbek custodian Utkir Yusupov in a rare chance for Jorn Andersen’s Hong Kong in the 57th minute before his counterpart Yapp stole the ball from Urunov’s feet at the other end a couple of minutes later.

Uzbekistan gave themselves a two-goal cushion in the 63rd minute when Erkinov produced a stunning left-foot strike from outside the box just six minutes after replacing Fayzullaev.
 
Their lead was further increased seven minutes later as Urunov latched onto a defence-splitting pass from Odiljon Xamrobekov and smartly slotted past the Hong Kong shot-stopper.
Azizbek Turgunboev rattled the woodwork with a long-range effort for the home side in the 76th minute before Yapp denied Urunov on a break in the 83rd minute as Hong Kong fell to their third defeat in Group E.
 
Hong Kong will welcome Iran in their penultimate group stage fixture when the qualifiers resume in June while Uzbekistan will host Turkmenistan in their next outing.