Kuruvchi faced an uphill challenge at MHSK Stadium after conceding three second-half goals in the first leg of the semi-final two weeks ago and were frustrated by the Reds until substitute Bahodir Pardaev struck with 11 minutes remaining.

Zico only arrived in Tashkent two weeks before the first leg in Adelaide and was quick to insist his main focus was on building the team for the future and continuing the work of Mirdjalal Kasimov, who is now in charge of the Uzbekistan national team.

“We will look at every area for next year and work to improve every area,” the Brazilian said.

“I have only had a short time to work with the team, but next year I will have more time and we will be in the final.”

Adelaide set out to defend with 10 and often 11 men behind the ball to frustrate Kuruvchi, who started strongly but faded towards the end of the first half.

Timur Kapadze had Kuruvchi’s best chance as he was denied at point black range by Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic shortly after the break, but despite their dominance which forced several late corners, Pardaev’s late strike proved the only reward.

“We were the only team who tried to play, they just defended and restricted our opportunities to score,” added Zico.

“We played very well, but I felt we had at least one penalty. But the three goals in Australia, which were down to mistakes, cost us.”

Although the Kuruvchi squad features a host of Uzbekistan internationals, Zico believes that they need to follow Adelaide’s example and look to foreign imports to improve.

Kuruvchi have striker Jose Luis Villanueva, as well as Brazilian defender Luizao and former World Player of the Year Rivaldo amongst their ranks, but the Chilean frontman again failed to finish 45 minutes as he was replaced before half-time just as he was in Adelaide.

“We need more players like Jose Luis. Diego and Cristiano scored for Adelaide, Diego also had two assists,” added Zico.

“The foreign players are the difference. Rivaldo has the experience and is hard to mark, but the problem was Jose Luis did not play enough; this makes it very difficult for us.

“Jose Luis has scored 14 goals for this team but played just 40 minutes in Australia and 30 minutes this time. This makes it very difficult for us.”