Uzbekistan goalkeeper Sarvar Karimov saved two penalties after both the sides failed to break the 1-1 deadlock in the regulation time. Earlier, Akobir Turaev cancelled out Japan’s Takuma Mizutani 6th minute strike seven minutes into the second half to extend the match to the penalty shootout.

“People say that we geared our performances up in the knockout stages but we have been consistently performing throughout the tournament. In the group stages the boys were shy to convert their chances but with the progression of the tournament they became more accurate and we became stronger,” Nuraliyev said.

“To be very honest, Japan were superb today but we converted the only good chance that came in our way and extended the match to penalty shootouts and kept composure during the shootout. In one way, we were lucky and they were unlucky, that’s football.

“Now we won’t be resting on the laurels as we have to work really hard to get something out from next year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Nuraliyev also praised his goalkeeper’s heroics but credited the whole team for making it happen. “The goalkeeper was fantastic throughout, he saved several shots against Iran and today was not different. He is ever improving but there are lots of things to learn for this young boy, he has a good future,” he said.