The Uzbek skipper struck early in the first half and though Australia hit back through a bizarre Riley Woodcock goal in the 43rd minute, Makhstaliev wrapped up a fine captain’s performance with the winner a minute before full time.

The hosts were backed by a large and vocal home crowd and attacked from outset but aside from a couple of nervy moments the Australian defence was doing well to weather the early pressure.

However, there was little they could do to prevent the opener after Luke Remington needlessly fouled an Uzbek player some 25 yards from goal in the 16th minute and Makhstaliev bent a delightful free-kick around the wall and beyond the left of diving goalkeeper Paul Izzo.

Uzbekistan were in electric form and only a point-blank save by Izzo denied them extending their lead just before the half hour mark when Azizbek Murotov delivered a fierce cross from the left that Makhstaliev flung his head at to direct a powerful effort straight at the body of the Australian custodian.

The woodwork was next to save Australia seven minutes before the break when Muhammadjon Abdullaev’s far-post cross struck the upright with Izzo beaten before being cleared by the defence.

But despite all their pressure, it was Australia who grabbed the crucial equaliser just two minutes before the break when Woodcock curled a corner towards goal that Uzbekistan keeper Ganisher Kholmurodov succeeded only in helping over the line.

Despite that setback Uzbekistan were once again strong straight after the restart and Timur Khakimov volleyed narrowly wide before Makhstaliev just failed to get a touch after Izzo spilled Murotov’s testing drive.

The Joeys, meanwhile, had to wait until 30 minutes into the second half for their first real chance of the period as defender Jake Monaco volleyed high over the bar from a corner.

But once again it was at the other end of the pitch that the most clear-cut chances were being forged and only a last-ditch clearance from Woodcock after Makhstaliev had headed beyond Izzo prevented Uzbekistan from regaining their lead with 13 minutes remaining.

Abdullaev’s shot-on-the-turn struck the bottom of the post soon after before the feet of Izzo denied Makhstaliev soon after.

But the in-form forward was not to be denied grabbing the winner with just one minute left on the clock when Izzo punched Asiljon Mansuirov’s long-range effort straight to Makhstaliev, who took one touch before slotting home and sending the home fans into raptures.