Uzbekistan came close to clinching the title in the last edition of the championship in Saudi Arabia but lost to UAE in the final 2-1.

Marat Kabaev’s charges have been placed in Group B alongside Bahrain, DPR Korea and Iraq this time and Usmanov feels it’s time for them to end the title drought.

Meeting the players before their departure to China, Usmanov said: “I wish good luck to our youth team. Luck plays a role in football and it seems conditions are favourable for us to succeed in this championship.”

“I hope the youngsters will return from China with a ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup to be played in Colombia next year.”

The Uzbeks warmed up for the championship by thrashing Uzbekistan League side Lokomotive 7-0. Sardor Rashidov scored a hat-trick, Timurhodja Abdukhalikov netted two while Abdumutallib Abdullaev and Bekzod Mirhaydarov added a goal each.