Sherzodbek Karimov put the visitors ahead on the half hour but things took a turn for the worse for the Uzbeks when Aleksander Kletskov was sent off eight minutes later.

Tarik El Taib levelled from the penalty spot after 67 minutes before Flavio scored the winner two minutes from time.

The victory means Al Shabab finish top of the standings while Pakthakor still go through as they take second place, with Iranians Sepahan missing out.

The hosts were the first to attack but Faisal Al Sultan failed to threaten with a header before El Taib drove a low shot just wide of the far post after 13 minutes.

But it was Pakhtakor who opened the scoring after 30 minutes.

Alexander Geynrikh broke down the left side of the box before sending a low pass across the face of goal and although Stanislav Andreev’s initial shot was denied by the Al Shabab goalkeeper Hussain Shaian, Karimov was on hand to put the rebound into the empty net.

Things got worse for the hosts midway through the half as Kletskov was sent off after being shown two yellow cards in quick succession after protesting the referee’s decision too strongly.

Pakhtakor continued to dominate and came close to adding a second when Geynrikh attempted a shot from distance that had the goalkeeper at full stretch.

Al Shabab came out stronger after the break but were struggling to turn their possession into chances.

But they were awarded a penalty when Abdullah Shuhail was brought down by Kilichev in the area and El Taib coolly sent his spot kick into the corner of the net.

Substitute Zaid Al Mowlad struck the post for Al Shabab but they grabbed the winner in the 88th minute as a neat one-two between Flavio and Waleed Al Gizani allowed the Angolan to sweep a shot into the back of the net.