Following a tight first half in the Group B opener at Pakhtakor Stadium, the game burst into life just after the hour mark as Pakhtakor goalkeeper Alexander Lobanov saved Yahia Al Shehri’s penalty.

And with 18 minutes remaining, Al Subaiei failed to hold Vladimir Kozak’s long range free-kick and Abdukholiqov took full advantage with a predatory finish less than 60 after being introduced by Pakhtakor coach Murod Ismailov.

With neither side able to establish a foothold in the game, Igor Sergeev had the first real chance of note midway through a tight first half as the Pakhtakor striker saw his effort blocked on the edge of the penalty area.

Ettifaq, though, should have taken the lead three minutes before half-time as Al Shehri ghosted in unmarked at the back post, but after being expertly picked out; the midfielder was unable to direct his volley on target with goalkeeper Alexander Lobanov struggling to make up the ground.

Lobanov, though, came to the home side’s rescue a minute after the hour mark as the Pakhtakor goalkeeper saved Al Shehri’s penalty following a lunging foul by captain Kakhi Makharadze just inside the area.

And just three minutes later Pakhtakor nearly took full advantage as Sherzodbek Karimov’s free-kick from the edge of the area struck the inside of the post and bounced to safety. But with 18 minutes remaining Ettifaq goalkeeper Al Subaiei failed to hold Kozak’s speculative long range free-kick and substitute Abdukholiqov pounced to poke the loose ball home from inside the six-yard area with virtually his first touch of the content.

Lobanov, though, almost handed Ettifaq an equaliser in the last minute of stoppage time as the Pakhtakor goalkeeper misjudged the flight of an Al Shehri free-kick, but fortunately for the home side the ball struck the foot of the post just before the final whistle.