Scolari (pictuerd) was delighted after Bunyodkor recovered from Pohang’s aggressive start which resulted in No Byung-jun’s early opener as reigning AFC Player of the Year Djeparov turned in two Jasur Hasanov crosses inside the final 11 minutes at JAR Stadium after Victor Karpenko had pulled the home side level in stunning fashion before half-time.

Pohang, though, were left to rue defender Kim Hyung-il’s red card just after the hour mark which turned a tight game in Bunyodkor’s favour before the visitors had a goal ruled out for offside in second-half stoppage-time.

“It was a very important game to win. There were moments in the match when they the better side and sometimes when Bunyodkor were the better side, we both played beautiful football,” said Scolari.

“We now hope that we will go through but the result is not 3-1, the result will not be decided until the last minute in Pohang. I said before the game we would change our history but this is only the first game - it will change after the second game. It will be a different game in Pohang and we need to score in Korea.

“Pohang played well for the first 15 minutes and scored a good goal but after that, we showed our character. We then scored and showed our game and dominated. Pohang still had chances but we were able score. The second-half was the same, we scored and Pohang could only try.”

Downbeat Pohang coach Sergio Farias, who was critical of the performance of the referee, promised Pohang will recover in time for next week’s second leg.

His bold decision to stick with the three-pronged attack which devastated Newcastle Jets in the last 16 paid off after just seven minutes as No calmly converted from close range.

But after Karpenko’s 30th minute volley, Bunyodkor always seemed to have the edge and after Kim was sent-off for picking up a second yellow card in the space of 11 minutes for a needless shirt pull, Pohang were unable to cope and Hasanov and Djeparov took full advantage.

“We scored first and created a lot, although we made a mistake for Bunyodkor’s first goal,” said Farias

“But in Pohang we will write another story.”