Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan booked their spot in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 quarter-finals as Group B winners with a perfect record after defeating Saudi Arabia 3-1 at Bangkok Arena on Sunday.

Uzbekistan’s third consecutive victory, after wins over Australia and Iraq, saw them finish in pole position with the Central Asians next playing Group A runners-up Vietnam in the quarter-finals, the-afc.com reported.

Uzbekistan, who needed just a point to confirm their place in the last eight, were on the front foot from kick-off with Khusniddin Nishonov having a first sighter of goal but blazing over in the opening minute.

But it was Saudi Arabia who opened the scoring in the third minute when Farhan Al Asmari forced his way down the right flank before crossing low for Eihab Mohamed to prod home.

Just a minute later Sunatulla Juraev almost provided an instant response for Uzbekistan with a powerful shot from outside the area that slammed against the post.

Elbek Tulkinov was then denied by goalkeeper Humood Al Dahhan as Uzbekistan pressed for a reply, but Saudi Arabia’s backline, anchored by the physical presence of captain Nawaf Aroan, stayed resolute.

And the West Asians retained a significant threat on the counter as with 12 minutes played a driving run from Nasser Al Harthi set up a chance for Abdulilah Al Otaibi who steered his shot narrowly wide.

In the final minute of the half, Uzbekistan suffered a blow as Tulkinov was stretchered off injured under a heavy challenge from Al Otaibi which saw a prolonged red card check, before a yellow card was ultimately administered.

Following the restart Saudi Arabia had a golden chance to double their advantage after just two minutes of the second half.

Ilkhomjon Khamroev’s slip sent through Fahad Al Johani and his one-two with Abdullah Al Maghrabi ended with his shot rebounding away off the far post.

But Andreu Plaza’s men would regret that miss as within a minute Uzbekistan had found the leveller. Mashrab Adilov buried a loose ball after the Saudi defence were unable to clear following a cross into the box from Khamroev.

And Uzbekistan then completed the turnaround just after the half-hour mark as Abror Akhmetzyanov received the ball from goalkeeper Abbos Elmurodov and zipped a low shot from distance that careened into the net off the inside of the post.

Saudi Arabia opted to use the power play as the match entered into his closing minutes as they searched for an equaliser, but the risky move proved their undoing. With all ten players in the Uzbekistan half, Elmurodov was able to collect the ball and dropkick it all the way into the opposing net to give his team a two-goal lead they would not relinquish.

Uzbekistan will now turn their focus to their upcoming clash with Vietnam, a repeat of the 2018 quarter-final clash, while Saudi Arabia still await their first appearance in the knockout stage having tallied their third consecutive group stage exit.