There were only two minutes of extra time left on the clock and whatever extra the referee would award in stoppage time but Sidorov was ready to play his part.

It looked likely that penalties would be needed to decide the outcome and with Sidorov having a fresh pair of legs in a final played in wintry conditions, he would surely have been tasked with taking a spot-kick.

Andrey Sidorov claimed the winner with virtually the final kick of a game that went into extra-time to give Uzbekistan the title for the first time and their first trophy at continental level since winning the AFC U16 Championship in 2010.

Uzbekistan’s only other continental title came in 1994 when the newly-inducted AFC member claimed the gold medal at the Asian Games and Khaydarov believes the win can spur the country onto greater success after some difficult years at senior level.

“We made history today and it’s one of the greatest victories for Uzbekistan football and for our country,” he said. 

“I haven’t thought too much about the significance, but this trophy can be very good for the future. This team is the future of our senior team. Over the last few years we didn’t see any trophies and we can’t say that we have played in a satisfactory way at the tournaments that we have played. 

“So this is very important for us. But I haven’t thought too much about it because I’m emotional.”

The talented midfielder was an ever-present for Uzbekistan throughout the tournament, with his display in the final undoubtedly one of his best in China. 

However, despite his glowing reviews and personal accolade, Xamrobekov was quick to dedicate his own award and the U23 title success to those who believed in both himself and his teammates the most.

“All the trophies that we have won today, they are for everyone, for all the delegation, all the staff, and for all those people who believed in us,” explained Uzbekistan’s number seven.

“After we lost the opening match (against Qatar), not many people thought we would succeed, but those closest to us definitely did. 

"The success we had is not only mine, or the head coach’s, or the team’s, it is for everyone.”

The striker was on hand to convert a Dostonbek Khamdamov corner with his first touch of the game, after a 1-1 draw had forced the game into an additional 30 minutes.

While Uzbekistan’s victory saw them add to the AFC U-16 Championship title they won in 2012, it also brought the curtain down on a remarkable Vietnam campaign, one which will live long in the memory of the Southeast Asian nation’s supporters.

In decidedly wintry conditions at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Center, it was Uzbekistan who controlled the early proceedings, and they duly took the lead on eight minutes when a poorly marked Rustamjon Ashurmatov headed home Khamdamov’s outswinging corner.

Uzbekistan continued to press after the breakthrough, as both a Javokhir Sidikov header and Khamdamov’s effort from 20 yards forced Vietnam goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung into smart saves.

Despite struggling to fully impose themselves on the game, Vietnam briefly threatened to restore parity shortly after the half hour mark when Pham Xuan Manh’s excellent cross narrowly eluded the onrushing Phan Vanh Duc and Nguyen Quang Hai.

However, after seeing Azizjon Ganiev fire narrowly over, Vietnam drew level on the stroke of half-time. Nguyen Cong Phuong was brought down on the edge of the area, and from the resulting free-kick Quang Hai superbly curled the ball past the despairing dive of Botirali Ergashev to register his fifth goal of the tournament.