The Korea Republic international midfielder scored the only goal of the game in the 28th minute at Bunyodkor Stadium after Muhammad Razaq had been brought down in the corner of the box by goalkeeper Akbar Turaev.

The visitors withstood intense pressure from the home side in the second half to hold on for the three points that moved them into second place in Group A, two points behind leaders Persepolis of Iran, who face Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in Riyadh later on Tuesday.

Following an even start to the contest, Lekhwiya seized the initiative in the 28th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Razaq was upended somewhat unnecessarily by Turaev on the right edge of the Bunyodkor penalty area as he chased down Luiz Junior’s long through ball from the halfway line.

Nam was entrusted with the spot kick and he coolly placed it in the top right corner as Turaev dived the wrong way.

It was a case of déjà vu for Bunyodkor, who also lost 1-0 to a first-half penalty against Iranian side Persepolis in their previous match although the Uzbek side had their chances to get back on level terms, especially in the second half.

Minori Sato cut through the Lekhwiya defence with a jinking run in the 51st minute but his cross from the right byline was just too strong for Sardor Rashidov in the middle.

Lekhwiya could have extended their lead on the hour when Razak was played in on the right of the Bunyodkor box by Ismail Mohamad but saw his attempt kept out by the legs of Turaev.

And at the other end just a couple of minutes later, substitute Eldor Shomurodov had a corner knocked down to him on the right edge of the six-yard box but his shot on the turn went narrowly wide of the upright.

The home side intensified the pressure in the closing minutes and Shomuradov went close again when his curling effort from 20 metres was brilliantly palmed away by Lekhwiya goalkeeper Amine Lecomte.

Bunyodkor had one final chance of an equaliser right at the death as Lecomte flapped at a high cross and allowed the ball to drop to Chaker Zouaghi who hooked his volley over the crossbar with the Lekhwiya goalkeeper out of position.