Last year’s semi-finalists picked up the point they needed after their stalemate with the UAE side to progress to the knockout stage.

The Uzbe champions finished second in Group D with eight points, four adrift of table-toppers Ettifaq and with one point more than third-placed Sepahan, while the draw left Al Shabab rooted to the bottom of the standings.

Bunyodkor will now have to play their second round match on the road and will meet Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab and Memet knows his side need to improve if they are to beat the Riyadh side to a place in the quarter-finals.

“Not all of our players played to expectation,” he said.

“We are glad that we have proceeded to the next stage but today it was difficult match for us.

“We had problems with scoring but in any case we are happy. However, I can tell you that we expected more from some of players today. All of them tried, but some of them have not played to the best of their ability.”

Al Shabab coach Toninho Cerezo praised Bunyodkor for playing “beautiful football” but was also delighted with his own side’s performance in the game.

“I’d like to congratulate Bunyodkor with their progression to the next stage and I’d also like to praise my team,” said the Brazilian.

“We were well informed about the style of Bunyodkor and even in those matches when they lost, they played beautiful football.

“Today our players played perfectly well too and I have nothing to reproach them.

“The factor of playing at home was an advantage for Bunyodkor and their fans drove the team forward.

“We have gained good experience from this match and I think that this experience will undoubtedly be reflected in our future games.”