Rafinha's fourth goal in just three AFC Champions League games following his mid-season arrival from Japan's Gamba Oskaka cancelled out Jovlon Ibrokhimov's fifth minute opener before half-time at Jar Stadium.

And a pair of second-half headers from Korea Republic duo Kim Shin-wook and Lee Keun-ho mean Ulsan are favourites to become the fourth consecutive K-League side to reach the AFC Champions League final ahead of next Wednesday's second leg at Ulsan Munsu Stadium.

"I said before the game we would play with an attacking style and the players played aggressively and a 3-1 win makes it a lot easier for the second leg," said Ulsan coach Kim Ho-gon.

"Even though it was a difficult away match the players wanted to win. But even though we have won 3-1, we will make sure we are prepared to play well again in the second match.

"We expected Bunyodkor to play with an attacking style so we prepared counterattacks to allow us more space for defending. Initially we had some problems in midfield during the first half, but we recovered in the second half and that is the main reason we won."

Rafinha's first-half strike takes the Brazilian's goal tally for the tournament to six goals after he scored twice against Bunyodkor during the Group Stage while playing for Gamba.

"We signed Rafinha in the second half of the K-League season and he is still adjusting to the K-League," added Ulsan coach Kim.

"But his performance is always improving and this is exactly what I expected from him."

Before turning their attention to next Wednesday's return fixture Ulsan must first face Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the K-League on Sunday.

"We will look to control the line-up for the game against Suwon with the second leg in mind," continued Kim Ho.

"The league schedule is very tight with so many games and we have a difficult game against Suwon so we will look at the squad after the game against Suwon."