The road to Qatar in 2011 starts on 28 January against UAE.

Coach Mirdjalal Kasimov has called two under-19 players to a training camp in Israel and the former midfielder is impressed.

“The sessions have been fine, everything is going according to plan. I saw a few football players who previously have not been called to the national team,” Kasimov said according to the homepage of the Asian Football Confederation.

“They made a positive impression. I liked the U19 Uzbekistan team players Alisher Karimov and Islom Tukhtahodjaev. We are planning to invite Sunnat Mamadaliev to the next training session.

“Our biggest problem is in central defence. We cannot field our main senior defenders because of injuries.”

As well as UAE, Uzbekistan have been drawn with 2007 Asian Cup opponents Malaysia in a three-team group.