Uzbekistan's Eldor Shomurodov scores the first goal during the Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Zone qualifying tournament, in Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong, on March 21, 2024. (PHOTO / REUTERS)

HONG KONG - A pair of strikes from Eldor Shomurodov and Rustamjon Ashurmatov in the second-half helped Uzbekistan beat Hong Kong, China 2-0 away in Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Zone qualifying tournament second stage here on Thursday.

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Hong Kong, China only amassed one point from the previous two fixtures, while Uzbekistan managed one win and one draw.

Uzbekistan's Rustamjon Ashurmatov scores the second goal during the Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Zone qualifying tournament, in Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong, on March 21, 2024. (PHOTO / REUTERS)

The away side were aggressive from the very beginning with Shomurodov finding the net after just four minutes, but it was canceled out due to offside, moments before the Cagliari striker of Serie A hit the upright.

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Uzbekistan eventually broke the deadlock in the 49th minute when Shomurodov tapped it in on a cross from the right, while Ashurmatov sealed the win by redirecting a corner into the net.

Hong Kong, China will stage their fourth round by visiting Uzbekistan on next Tuesday.

A general view of Hong Kong fans in the stands during the Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Zone qualifying tournament, in Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong, on March 21, 2024. (PHOTO / REUTERS)