Suspended for Uzbekistan's opening 2-1 defeat to Iran, the 28-year-old Dynamo Kiev frontman arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday - five days after his team-mates - and has since been overcoming jetlag following a lengthy journey to the Malaysian capital.

Shatskikh returned to Kiev from the Ukrainian club's training camp in Austria before travelling on to Kuala Lumpur via Amsterdam, touching down just hours before the Uzbeks played Iran at Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

A prolific frontman at club and international level, Shatskikh will have the benefit of only two training sessions in the humid climate with his Uzbekistan team-mates before the Malaysia clash, but he does not see that as a problem.

"Of course, it's very difficult to get used to the climate here after such a long trip, but I'm 100% ready for the next games and I want to try to help my team," said the Uzbek hitman during the pre-match press conference on Friday.

"Each player has his own motivation in tournaments like the Asian Cup and I also have motivation to play well."

Shatskikh last played at the Asian Cup in Lebanon in 2000, missing the tournament in China in 2004 because of health concerns, a year after the deadly SARS outbreak in the region.

Keen to help his side improve on their quarter-final appearance in China, Shatskikh knows Uzbekistan must pick up their game on Saturday after their disappointing loss to the Iranians.

"After the game on Wednesday, I would say that we don't have any right to make any more mistakes in our group games and tomorrow, we must try to take the three points," he said.

The Uzbeks will fancy their chances against a side that has come under fire after being hammered 5-1 by China in their opening game.

While accepting the criticism, Malaysia coach Norizan Bakar has emphasised the need to look ahead to the next game.

"This is the country, so it's normal when you do badly in a game that you get all the critics saying not so nice things," said Norizan.

"We have to admit that it was not a very good result that we had in our first game against China. We now have our second match against Uzbekistan and we have to rise to the occasion and do something about it.

"The only thing I can ask of the players is to give their best for the second game. We do not have a choice; we must play to our level best."