Abramov had initially planned to head to Doha with just three strikers in his squad but a knee injury to defender Yaroslav Krushelnitsky ahead of a friendly against Jordan last Sunday – that ended in a 2-2 draw - meant striker Ulugbek Bakayev was drafted in at the last minute.

The FC Tobol striker bolsters an already impressive forward line that includes Arsenal Kiev’s Maksim Shatskikh – who has scored 32 goals in 52 games for the national team – as well as Pakhtakor dangerman Alexander Geynrikh.

Uzbekistan have held training camps in Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates to prepare for the tournament and despite the late setback, Abramov is confident his players are ready having seen them also beat Bahrain in the run-up to Asia's premier competition.

“We are satisfied with our preparations. We had many training camps and our expectation is to win this tournament, just like all the teams here,” he said.

“Before the start of the tournament all the teams are the same. It is by the second round that we will see what teams are like.”

Uzbekistan will be looking to build upon improving performances at the Asian Cup since their debut at the tournament in 1996.

After failing to progress beyond the group stage in their first two appearances they have now reached the quarter-finals in successive editions and they have their eyes set on reaching the final in Doha.

However, the perennial dark horses could not have been handed a tougher start to the tournament, however, with local fans likely to pack out the Khalifa Stadium and create an intimidating atmosphere for the Uzbekistan players.

But Abramov has no concerns that his players could wilt under the pressure and is confident they will rise to the task against Qatar.

“The opening match is a historical match. We want to show our best and we will do our best tomorrow,” he added.

“We want provide a good game for the spectators from every country and we want to show that Asian football is at a high level.”