Following a goalless first-half at Khalifa Stadium, Bakaev struck twice in three minutes just after the interval to put Uzbekistan firmly in control of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 last eight tie before Bashar Bani Yaseen gave Jordan hope of a fightback with a 59th-minute effort.

“He is big player with plenty of experience, I know him very well,” said Abramov.

“I gave him a chance and he scores two goals. He has made history and everybody now knows his name in Uzbekistan.

“In Uzbekistan, I think everybody is very, very happy because we are going to the next round but I also think that people can see now that Uzbekistan can play good football.”

Bakaev's intervention at the start of the second period sealed Uzbekistan's passage to a semi-final clash with either Australia or Iraq and Abramov admitted his half-time team talk went better than even he could have expected.

“It was a very tough game because we had a chance to reach last four for first time and I think some players were scared to play in the first-half,” he added.

“I told them what was missing in the first-half and then I spoke about the first five minutes that we needed to be much stronger. I told them they must attack and then we were fortunate to score two goals very quickly.

“Now I wait to see which team gets through the next round, maybe Iraq, maybe Australia. We need to rest and then look at what we are lacking and what we can do because so many players are tired already. I'll see what we can do.

“At the first press conference I said we could win this tournament and I've not changed my mind.”

Abramov also hopes Uzbekistan's unprecedented success at the AFC Asian Cup can inspire a new generation of players back home.

"In Uzbekistan, there are so many talented players and this tournament I think it can also encourage young players,” he said.

“My players can play in other teams in Europe but I also hope the standard of football in Uzbekistan improves.”