Abramov released strkers Ulugbek Bakaev and Lutfulla Turaev, as well as Bahadir Nasimov, which means he will have only three out-and-out strikers in the squad for the January 7-29 tournament.

Maksim Shatsikh, Alexander Geynrikh and Olim Navkarov are the three forwards in the side, who face hosts Qatar in the opening match of the tournament on January 7 at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The Uzbeks have played two warm-up matches since arriving in their pre-tournament training camp in Dubai. They drew 1-1 with Bahrain and beat local club Al Shabab 1-0.

Their final preparatory game is against Jordan on January 2 before they move to Doha.

Uzbekistan are with Qatar, China and Kuwait in Group A of the tournament.

Uzbekistan squad:

Goalkeepers: Ignatiy Nesterov (Bunyodkor), Murotzhon Zukhurov (Nasaf), Temur Juraev (Pakhtakor).

Defenders: Sahob Juraev (Bunyodkor), Jaroslav Krushelnitsky (Shurtan), Shaukat Mulladzhanov (Almalik), Anzur Ismailov (Bunyodkor), Farrukh Nurlibaev (Almalik), Victor Karpenko (Bunyodkor), Aziz Ibragimov (Bohemians, Czech Republic).

Midfielders: Timur Kapadze (Bunyodkor), Stanislav Andreev (Pakhtakor), Server Djeparov (FC Seoul, Korea Republic), Sanjar Tursunov (Volga, Russia), Aziz Haydarov (Bunyodkor), Jasur Hasanov (Lekhwia, Qatar), Odile Akhmedov (Pakhtakor), Shaukat Salomov (Nasaf), Marat Bikmaev (Alania, Russia), Vagiz Galiulin (Sibir, Russia).

Forwards: Olim Navkarov (Kyzylkumoltin), Alexander Geynrikh (Pakhtakor), Maksim Shatskikh (Arsenal, Ukraine).