The West Asians lost their opening Group A game 2-0 to China last Saturday meaning three points are vital against the Uzbeks if they are to avoid the very real prospect of an early flight home.

However, Kuwait spent the vast majority of that match with just 10 men following Mesaed Neda’s 35th minute sending off, and Tufgedzic (pictured) has the belief in his players to put the result behind them and produce the necessary performance against Uzbekistan to take all three points.

“I think our team has to forget the last match against China and concentrate on tomorrow's game because it is a very important match,” he said.

“I hope our players’ mentality is very strong and I believe in my players. I hope tomorrow our team can produce a good result.”

For Tufegdzic, the result against China belied the performance of his players and the former Al Shabab boss is confident a similar display against Uzbekistan will yield three points.

“China are a very strong opponent but at the same time if you analyse the first game you will see our team controlled the match for the first 35 minutes,” he added.

“At the end of the game, China were not much better, so I am satisfied with the way our players played.”

Tufegdzic will definitely be without the services of the suspended Neda for the match, but the Serbian has confidence in the replacements he has at his disposal to fill in for the influential defender.

“He is an important player for us but I have a squad of players and I can use another player in this position,” he said.