Sepahan’s hopes of emulating their run to the 2007 final - where they lost to Japan’s Urawa Reds - suffered another major set-back following their opening day loss to Al Ittihad Aleppo last Wednesday.

The result leaves the Iranian side pointless after the first two match days while Kuruvhci picked up their first points following last week’s defeat against former champions Al Ittihad from Saudi Arabia.

After a goal-less first half, Kuruvchi took the lead in the 61st minute when Bakaev headed Server Djeparov’s cross beyond Abbas Mohammadi in the Sepahang goal.

Nineteen minutes later the Uzbeks doubled their advantage when Kapadze beat two defenders after latching on to Djeparov’s throw-in to leave Sepahan’s hopes of reaching the knockout phase hanging by a thread and increase the pressure on coach Jorvan Vieira.