Before departing from the UAE to Tashkent, Aurelio Vidmar said: “The next two games for us are certainly do or die,” Vidmar said.”It'll be tough, because Uzbekistan away is never an easy game but I still think this group can do it.”

Uzbekistan and Australia will face each other in Tashkent on 5 February. Uzbekistan will face Iraq next on 21 February, while Australia will travel to the UAE. The match between Australia and the UAE will be held on 22 February.