Rafael Nunez opened the scoring with a second half penalty before Uzbekistan came back fighting with Alisher Odilov leveling the score.
Both debutants came into the tie in search of their first win with Uzbekistan having lost their earlier matches against Egypt and Spain, while Dominican Republic did one better when they held the African side to a goalless draw.
Abdurauf Buriev took over the captaincy role in place of Cagliari forward Eldor Shomurodov, who started from the bench, but it did little to prevent Dominican Republic from taking early control of the game.
Uzbekistan played in patches and had their first look on goal in the 11th minute through Ruslanbek Jiyanov off a Odilov set-piece from just outside the six-yard-box while moments later, Nowend Lorenzo threatened for Dominican Republic after Nunez set him free inside the box but the Osasuna B midfielder sent his effort high.
The game came alive in the 24th minute when Uzbekistan’s Jiyanov was denied by the bar from inside the area with the forward later seeing his effort blocked following Zafarmurod Abdirahmatov’s set-up.
Two minutes later it was the Carribean side who came close to scoring when Nunez fed Peter Gonzalez, who saw his effort foiled by Vladimir Nazarov, while Oscar Urena wasted his attempt off a corner.
Uzbekistan had the best chance of the half in the closing stages when Odilov first had his attempt at goal foiled by Jose De Leon’s clearance before Khusayin Norchaev was beaten in a one-on-one situation with Dominican Republic keeper Xavier Valdez.
Dominican Republic had the better start in the second half and their constant pressure led to Uzbekistan conceding a penalty following Abdukodir Khusanov’s foul on Lorenzo with Nunez converting in the 51st minute.
The Central Asian side came fighting back and the introduction of Abbosbek Fayzullaev in the second half paid dividends when the CSKA Moscow midfielder’s tenacity led to the equaliser seven minutes later when he fed Odilov with the perfect pass to score from inside the box.
A stunned Dominican Republic struggled to contain a rejuvenated Uzbekistan, who had a goal from Odilov disallowed in the 64th as the Central Asian side ended their campaign on a high note.
