The Group A runners-up were completely outplayed in the first-half, but after Ettifaq could only convert through Prince Tagoe 12 minutes before half-time, the visitors took control after the interval.

They had to wait until 11 minutes remaining for first-half substitute Zaynitdin Tadjiyev to fire home the equaliser before second-half replacement Alexander Geynrikh rifled home a stunning free-kick in stoppage-time to send the Uzbek side into the last eight alongside Qatar’s Umm Salal, compatriots Bunyodkor and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad from the West side of the draw.

“It was a very difficult game for us and both teams played well,” said Djalilov.

”Ettifaq controlled the game and they had a lot of pressure but we scored two goals in the last 12 minutes.

“We played well and our players showed good physical abilities.

“We trained too much for this game and we had little luck. However, we did well and the players applied the tactics.

“The next stage will be harder because there will be strong teams from Qatar and Saudi Arabia and East Asian teams. We will plan well for the next stage and I hope that we can be ready.”

Ettifaq coach Ioan Andone, meanwhile, was left to rue a string of missed first half chances, mainly from Ghanaian striker Tagoe, as well as the absence of key players including striker Saleh Bashir, who is set to undergo knee surgery.

“We controlled the game for 80 minutes but in the last 10 we fell through and we made a mistake which gave Pakhtakor a chance to level the scores before scoring a late winner,” said Andone.

“I have never felt that we would lose but we were unlucky. Pakhtakor’s first goal came from a defensive error and that eventually cost us.

“Geynrikh showed good movement after coming on and he created some danger with his shots.

“I think that we could have won the game if we scored a second goal.

“Pakhtakor are a very intelligent side and they played with a quick rhythm. We were without two players and things could have been better for us if Saleh Bashir was with us.”