The Bunyodkor forward converted the spot kick just after the hour to settle a closely fought Group B encounter in favour of the Central Asians.

DPR Korea showed plenty of attacking intent from the outset and had an early chance after they were awarded a free-kick on the right side of the area and Ri Hyong-song whipped a dangerous ball towards the far post but it just evaded the head of Jong Il-kwan.

Isroiljon Ergashev tried his luck from distance for Uzbekistan in the ninth minute but his dipping shot was wide of Om Jin-song’s left upright while Marat Kabaev's side had a great chance to open the scoring after 17 minutes when Abdumutallib Abdullayev hooked the ball past defender Hwang Chol-guk to create space for himself inside the area but then lashed his shot high over the goal.

DPR Korea, meanwhile, were looking impressive going forward but had been struggling to create noteworthy chances. They finally called Viktor Mochalov into action on the half hour mark when skipper Ri Hyok-chol drove a powerful shot into the keeper’s hands.

A beautiful flowing move from the Koreans deserved better in the 38th minute when they sliced through the Uzbekistan midfield before Kim Ju-song fed a pass for Jong but the forward dithered in possession for too long and he was closed down by defenders.

Ri Hyok-chol then had the best chance of the half as he was sent clear down the left before side-footing a shot that whistled inches over the crossbar with Mochalov stranded.

The Koreans again went close six minutes into the second half when Pak Song-chol lifted the ball into the area and Kim Jung-suk dived to send a header just the wrong side of the left upright.

Ri Hyok-chol and Jong Il-kwan were linking up superbly for DPR Korea with the two often combining to unlock the Uzbek defence on several occasions but letting themselves down with their shooting.

They were made to pay for their profligacy in the 62nd minute when substitute Mirgiyoz Suleymanov was brought down inside the area and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Abdukholiqov stepped up to drive the spot kick low and to the goalkeeper’s right.

That goal opened the game up with both sides getting forward but as time wore on Uzbekistan opted to defend their lead, inviting DPR Korea to press for an equaliser and they dominated the closing stages.

They almost snatched a deserved point in the last minute of the game when, from a short corner, Jong Il-kwan was allowed to run unchecked into the box and he drove a rasping drive goalwards that Mochalov superbly palmed away to preserve the victory.