Full-back Murod Khalmukhamedov denied Li Zhichao from the spot to send Uzbekistan through to a semi-final meeting with Korea Republic and also confirm a place at next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Khalmukhamedov was forced to take the goalkeeping duties as Ubaydullaev had used all three permitted substitutes prior to the 119th minute dismissal of custodian Doniyorjon Usmonov, who appeared to lay his hands on referee Benjamin Williams.

Ubaydullaev had planned to replace Usmonov with penalties imminent, but injuries to other players meant he could not choose his substitutes.

The coach did not believe Khalmukhamedov’s save was a stroke of luck, however, and expected his team to triumph.

“I would have liked to change the goalkeeper in the last minute as we have a goalkeeper who is better at saving penalties, but we needed to make three substitutions so I couldn’t do it,” said Ubaydullaev, after an eventful conclusion to a defensive and tactical contest.

“I don’t feel fortunate but it was a good save.”

The Uzbekistan coach said his team’s intricate knowledge of China - gained in four recent friendly fixtures - helped them progress.

“We knew China really well and my players played very well, obeying instructions and achieving the desired result,” he added.

Ubaydullaev was thrilled as Uzbekistan qualified to meet the world’s best teams in Egypt and he enthusiastically greeted the news that Korea Republic would provide the opposition in the last four after their 3-0 defeat of Japan.

“I expected there to be surprises in this championship,” said Ubaydullaev.

“Korea are a strong team. But in future there will be more surprises.”

China coach Liu Chunming was magnanimous in defeat.

“Our players put in their best effort,” said Liu.

“It’s a pity it must end this way, with penalties, but we will take this experience and come back stronger.

“There has to be a winner and a loser in a quarter-final.”

China were the more enterprising team on display but failed to fire in the final third of the pitch as Uzbekistan packed men behind the ball.

But Liu refused to criticise Uzbekistan’s tactics.

“They had some opportunities so it was a normal game,” he said.