With Nagoya Oceans and Shenzhen Nanling Tielang having already sewn up the two semi-final qualifying spots from the group with a game to spare, Lokomotiv were looking for their first points of the competition against a Vic Vipers side who had failed to score in their first two tournament fixtures. And despite Miguel Barrigos ending the Australian side’s goal drought with a hat-trick, further strikes from Furkat Azizov and Oleg Khalmukhamedov, and an own goal by Fernando gave Lokomotiv a comfortable scoreline that reflected their dominance.

"Our plan was to go to the power play once we had a two goal advantage," said Lokomotiv coach Akhadjon Yusupov. "The Australians played us very tough in the beginning, but once we had the advantage, the game opened up for us." Barrigos started the scoring barely one minute into the match with a quick strike from the left flank but Abdumavlyvanov equalized for Lokomotiv a mere two minutes later before Brazilian Fernando’s netted an own goal to make the score 2-1 in favour of Yusupov’s team.

And the Uzbek side gained strength and confidence as the match wore on, and despite some nifty footwork from Fernando, the Vic Vipers were unable to reach the net until the final minute of the first half, with Barrigos once again on the finishing end of a Fernando cross.

Borisov slammed home a first time shot three minutes into the second half, giving Lokomotiv the lead 3-2, and Azizov’s goal four minutes later led to the Uzbeks utilizing the power play, and the beginning of the end for the Vic Vipers.

The pressure of a fifth outfield player proved too much for the Australians, as Lokomotiv scored three more unanswered goals with Abdumavylyanov and Borisov each completing their braces before the Uzbek’s final goal came three minutes from the end from Khalmukhamedov.

Barrigos was then on hand to complete his hat trick in the final minute to give the score a measure of respectability for the Australian side.

"Once Tashkent applied the power play, the game was over for us," said Vic Vipers coach Sam Mlynarz.

"Now we will concentrate on our league, and winning it this coming season so we can return to the championship as quickly as possible."