The result at Pakhtakor Stadium leaves Jordan with two draws in as many games - their first being a 1-1 tie Tajikistan on Monday - but Hill hailed the way his defence coped when under siege.

The score-line belied Uzbekistan’s performance as they dominated the game for the majority, but were unable to deliver the knockout blow that would have put Jordan in clear danger of elimination from the group.

And Hill - who insisted the group was still wide open - revealed the draw had been a desirable result from the start.

He said: “It was a very difficult game, but it was exactly how we thought it would be.

“We knew the Uzbekistan team would be very strong, very organised and disciplined. They were exactly what we told our players they would be like.

“We had a specific plan and that was to defend. We knew the football we were going to play was not going to be pretty.

“This was the plan. We knew what was going to happen and we were trying to play on the counter attack, which we nearly got on a couple of occasions.

"And it shows that we can play attacking football, but we can also defend.

“I think we frustrated Uzbekistan. We asked our boys to play for 0-0. Anything beyond that would have been a bonus and I think Uzbekistan would consider themselves unlucky.

“We’re very pleased with the result as it allows us to build momentum, and as long as we can keep building momentum that will set us up."

Jordan’s style of play was in complete contrast to what was on show in their first game against Tajikistan, but Hill insisted he had his players’ development in mind first and foremost.

He said: “We know we can’t always play attacking football, which is why we practiced our defensive game. You have to learn to keep a balance between the two.”

Hill’s counterpart Aleksey Evstafeev admitted that fate played a role in the result, but had qualification on his mind when he accepted that they had made things difficult for themselves.

The Uzbekistan coach was happy with his players’ attacking display, but said:

“We have complicated things a little for ourselves in the group. We were a little unlucky. We had a few chances but could not take them.

“It was a very, very hard match. Jordan are a very well organised team. I like their style, and their coach is a smart guy.

“But I am satisfied with my team’s performance and I still think we can qualify.”