Anvar Gafurov and Bakhodir Nasimov (pictured right celebrating with Jasur Hasanov) scored either side of half-time for the visitors before Baddrol Bakhtiar pulled a goal back for Malaysia with 20 minutes remaining.

But captain Timur Kapadze restored the advantage three minutes later as Uzbekistan recorded a third consecutive win following Saturday’s 3-1 win over Malaysia in Tashkent.

With Uzbekistan already secured of a place at the finals in Qatar, pointless Malaysia must beat United Arab Emirates in their final game on January 6 to maintain their slim hopes of qualifying and then hope Uzbekistan beat UAE in March.

In heavy rain at the National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Uzbekistan took the game to the defence-minded hosts and should have opened the scoring inside the opening minutes when Kapadze headed over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy after Malaysia goalkeeper Farizal Marlias could only parry Hasanov’s shot.

The home side came into the match as the half progressed as striker Ahmad Fakri Saarani fired just wide of the upright after 20 minutes before Safiq Rahim’s fabulous free-kick drifted just wide.

But 13 minutes before the break Uzbekistan finally broke the deadlock as Gafurov’s glancing header from Kapadze’s corner had Farizal well-beaten.

And there was no let-up from Uzbekistan in the second half as the home side were pinned inside their own half.

Malaysia attempted to inject some pace at the start of the second half with the introduction of Ahmad Shakir Ali for the ineffective Norshahrul Idlan Talaha.

But two minutes before the hour mark Uzbekistan doubled their lead as Nasimov, who was leading the attack alongside Anvar Soliev in the absence of experienced striker Alexander Geynrikh, stabbed home from close range following a goalmouth scramble.

Uzbekistan took their foot off the peddle as the half progressed allowing the young Malaysian side to finally press forward as Amri Yahyah tested visiting goalkeeper Temur Juraev after 64 minutes.

And six minutes later the home side were rewarded as Baddrol converted as the far post following a diagonal pass from Safiq.

But just six minutes later hesitation in the Malaysia defence allowed Kapadze to break clear and restore the advantage and seal the win from just inside the area.