The Uzbek side dominated the match but were unable to find a goal and paid for their profligacy when substitute Ahmed Ajab scored in stoppage time to give the Kuwaitis all three points.

According to the Portuguese coach, everything went according to plan for Al Qadisiya in the match.

"We knew the strengths of our opponents before the match so we planned to play a more defensive game, which is not our usual style of play," said Garrido.

"Pakhtakor controlled the game but we tried to pick the right moment to surprise them and we were lucky to succeed.

"Our strategy was to keep Ahmad Ajab, who is current top scorer in the Kuwaiti league, on the bench and to bring him on at the most opportune moment. The plan worked because he came on as a substitute and scored.

"Pakhtakor played well and did their best to win the match but they were unlucky because they were unable to score a goal while we succeeded."

Pakhtakor coach Ravshan Haydarov was naturally disappointed to see his side suffer a costly defeat in their opening home match.

"We had a lot of chances to score during the match but you cannot win a football match without scoring goals," said the former Uzbekistan national coach.

"I think we played well and we deserved the crowd’s respect. Our forwards did their best but the fact is that they couldn’t score tonight."

Haydarov admitted that his team will find it difficult to reach the quarter-finals especially after the loss of key players like Server Djeparov, Anvar Soliev and Timur Kapadze during the off-season.

"It’s very difficult to replace great players such as Server Djeparov but I am satisfied with our teamwork so far.

"This tournament has just started and losing one match doesn’t mean that we have lost the entire competition and we still have a chance to qualify.

"We could still beat Al Gharrafa in Doha and Al Qadisiya in Kuwait, so why not?"