Heavy shower shortly before the match came as a relief for the Uzbeks, who were worried about transition from Tashkent's cold to the hot and humid conditions here but happily pushed their collection to eight points with four first half strikes.

After new Bangladesh captain Aminul foiled two early attempts in front of empty stands of the tiny stadium, the visitors opened the floodgate in the 11th minute. Dynamo Kiev striker Maksim Shatskihh dribbled past two defenders at the right flank and cut the ball back to the path of bald-headed Ilyas Zeytullaev -- the Genoa midfielder from Serie B called first time for the qualifiers -- who neatly pushed the ball into the far corner.

Aminul was rooted to his line again when unmarked forward Ulugbek Bakaev doubled the lead seven minutes later with a glancing header when Leonid Koshelev intercepted a pass by rival back Rajani at the left wing and sent an inch-perfect centre.

Aminul denied Shatskihh from a sitter but the Bangladesh goalkeeper handled the ball outside his area in the process, awarding a freekick. Diminutive midfielder Server Djeparov curled in a low drive past the wall, giving Aminul no chance in the 22nd minute.

A minute later, Bangladesh hit back with veteran striker Alfaz who set a chance for Moni but his volley from close was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Temur Juraev.

Their was no respite for the home side and Shatskihh, who was at the heart of almost every Uzbekistan attacks with his magical moves, finally got a deserved goal on the half hour when he shot home a penalty kick after Rajani had tripped Bakaev in the box. Although it appeared that Bakaev dived, Chinese referee Hai Tan was convinced and marked to the 12-yard spot.

Aminul saved an absolute blinder from Bakaev before Alfaz wasted the best chance for the hosts when he blasted the ball over the lone keeper from 18 yards after latching on a long pass from Matiur Munna.

Uzbekistan, who had won their home match against Bangladesh 5-0, put tremendous pressure early into the second half but the three-man central defence -- Rajani, Nazrul, Ariful -- defended doggedly to thwart a series of attacks. Nazrul made a goalline save on a shot by Shatskihh who later rattled the upright as Uzbekistan failed to increase the margin.

Coach Hassanuzzaman Babloo brought fresh legs in Emily and Zahid who fought for the ball and looked more effective than the overweight pair Alfaz and Moni. The hosts shared equal ball possession but Bangladesh, pointless after five losses in as many matches, could not get a consolation goal when fullback Waly Faisal mishit a chance with the rival keeper at his mercy.

"We conceded four goals due to defensive errors. I felt that it was wrong for trying to attack and match a team like Uzbekistan," said Babloo after the match.

"However, we cut down on the mistakes and successfully stopped their attacks in the second half. I am satisfied because I saw my young players also go on the offensive, unlike the match against Qatar when we packed our defence.

"The technical improvement is positive as we want to build a team for the future," added the former national winger.

Despite a big win, Uzbekistan coach Valeri Nepomniatchi said that he was not satisfied.

"I am unhappy because the scoreline should have been doubled. We did not play that good after the break. The condition, however, was very tiring and I must say Bangladesh put on a spirited performance," said the former Cameroon coach, who took the 'Indomitable Lions' to the 1990 World Cup qualifiers and shot into fame.

"I am not worried about qualification to the finals. I hope my players would be on their best against Qatar in the final round.

When asked about Zeytullaev's performance, the Turkmenistan-born coach said that as he had seen very little of the Italy-based player, he was happy for his indefatigable performance.

Bangladesh will play their last qualifier away at Hong Kong in mid-November.

TEAMS
UZBEKISTAN: Juraev, Innomov, Aliqulov, Fyodorov, Suyunov, Zeytullaev (Magdeev 61st minute), Djeparov, Kapadze, Koshelev (Denisov, 46th), Bakaev (Geynrikh, 76th) and Shatskikh.
BANGLADESH: Aminul, Parvez Babu, Nazrul, Rajani, Ariful, Waly, Munna (Ujjal, 69th), Arman Aziz, Abul, Alfaz (Emily, 55th) and Moni (Zahid, 55th).