With the game seemingly destined to end goalless at the break, Serbian striker Ivan Boskovic headed in the opener in the 44th minute before Latvian midfielder Andrejs Perepljotkins doubled their advantage 18 minutes from time after Rabee Ataya had been dismissed for Al Ansar shortly into the second period.

Last season's Uzbekistan League top-scorer Nosir Otakuziev then sealed the points with the third goal six minutes later. Nasaf almost broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when Artur Gevorkyan met Perepljotkins' cross but saw his effort hit the post.

Eight minutes later another delivery from the Latvian winger picked out Boskovic in the middle of the penalty area but he headed the ball wide.

The Serbian did find the back of the net just before the interval, though, when this time he converted another cross from Perepljotkins.

Al Ansar suffered a further setback seven minutes into the second period when Ataya was sent off for second bookable offence. Despite being one man down, the Lebanese side created their best chance of the game in the 70th minute when Edson Luis Nasimento found himself one-on-one with Nasaf goalie Murod Zukhurov but the Brazilian striker was unable to score.

Just two minutes later Al Ansar were punished for that missed chance as they conceded a second goal.

Lutfulla Turaev’s shot deflected off a defender into the path of Gevorkyan and the Turkmenistan international’s pass presented Perepljotkins with the easiest of chances to cap a fine performance.

The third goal came following some neat passing play between Jakhongir Jiyamuradov, Turaev and Boskovic.

Turaev was the one who eventually fed Otakuziev and last season's domestic top-scorer made no mistake to claim Nasaf's third with a simple finish to wrap up the points in the 78th minute having been on the field just a matter of minutes as a second-half substitute.