Changzhou: Khojiakbar Alijonov’s first half strike proved the difference

as Uzbekistan secured a vital and thrilling 1-0 win over China PR in Group

A of the AFC U23 Championship 2018 on Friday.

The win leaves the Central Asians level with China on three points and,

and with Qatar defeating Oman 1-0 in the day’s second match, both teams

can still genuinely harbour ambitions of sealing a spot in the quarter-finals

with one game apiece still to play.

Uzbekistan will look to seal a place in the last eight when they tackle

Oman in the final round of group stage matches on Monday, while China

are scheduled to face Qatar.