Nigerian striker Robert Akuraye netted a brace and Abdulwahab Ali also got on the scoresheet to see off Group A’s bottom side and steer the Bahrain club into the knockout phase.

“We deserved to win tonight and qualify to the next stage,” Ameen said.

“Our players produced a great performance and we could have sealed the game in the first-half but things didn’t go our way.

“We were afraid that Al Tilal will score early in the game but we managed to keep them at bay,” he added.

“We have secured our place in the knockout stage one game before the end of the group stage and this means we will go into the last game under no pressure.”

Al Tilal coach Sami Al Naash, meanwhile, declined to speak to the media after the game.

Neftchi moved into pole position to join Busaiteen in the next round as goals from Aziz Alijonov and Sardor Mirzaev helped them come from behind to see off rivals Al Ahed 2-1.

They now lead the Lebanese side by two points going into the final round of games having leapfrogged their rivals into second.

Neftchi coach Yury Sarkisyan was pleased with his side’s response to the 2-2 draw at Busaiteen last time out.

“The last match was unlucky for us and we missed out on a victory. However, I asked the players to show who is in charge and I am grateful to them that they have played well.

“Despite the heavy weather conditions, they battled until the last minute for every ball.”

Al Ahed boss Fouad Saad insisted that Neftchi are a stronger outfit than their position in the table suggested.

“Neftchi deserved better luck and the third place that the team occupied before match does not correspond to real strength of the Fergana team,” he said.