Despite being on the back foot for much of the game, the Uzbeks hung on for victory after taking the lead in the 17th minute when a free-kick by skipper Sherzodbek Karimov found the net with the aid of a deflection off Korean defender Oh Jae-suk.

With the win, the Uzbeks set up a meeting in Friday’s final with either United Arab Emirates or Australia.

Korea Republic coach Cho Dong-hyun made no alterations to the squad that trounced Japan 3-0 in the quarter-finals while Uzbekistan coach Akhmad Ubaydullaev, who was missing suspended goalkeeper Doniyorjon Usmonov, made three changes to the squad that edged China in a penalty shoot-out.

The Koreans created the first opportunity after seven minutes when Cho Young-cheol’s shot flashed wide of the left upright and five minutes later, Yu Ji-no met Koo Ja-cheol’s corner with a header that flew wide.

However, it was Uzbekistan who opened the scoring after 17 minutes when Karimov’s powerfully struck free-kick nicked off Oh before nestling in the back of the Korean net.

Korea Republic stepped up the pressure on the Uzbek goal and went close in the 26th minute when Yun Suk-young’s powerful close-range attempt went wide.

Karimov should have added a second goal late in the half as he shaved the right post four minutes before half-time and then fired an attempt straight at Korea Republic goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu a minute later.

Uzbekistan were fortunate to escape again seven minutes into the second half when Cho Young-cheol met Koo Ja-cheol’s corner with a low shot that Sunnatilla Mamadaliyev cleared off the goal line.

The Koreans went close again just before the hour when a powerful header by Yun Suk-young went just past the right post.

Uzbekistan could have put the game beyond Korea’s reach in the 74th minute when Karimov played a quick pass to substitute Kenja Turaev who had only the goalkeeper to beat but shot straight at Kim Seung-gyu.

Korea Republic substitute Hong Jeong-ho nearly capitalised five minutes from time when he made a quick dash on the Uzbek goal but was unable to beat goalkeeper Ihlom Djumanov in a one-on-one situation.

Korea Republic were reduced to 10 men in the third minute of stoppage time when goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu joined the attack in search of an equaliser and was shown the red card for intentionally bringing down Murod Khalmuhamedov as he bore down on the unguarded Korean goal.