Osama Al Harbi's header after 33 minutes settled the Group C encounter at JAR Stadium in favour of the Saudi Arabian side and also represented a measure of revenge for last year's 3-0 defeat at the same venue.

The result sees the two-time ACL champions go top of the group table with two wins from two games and Toni now feels they have a great opportunity to book a place in the last 16.

“To be honest, I did not expect that we could beat Bunyodkor in Tashkent,” said the former Portugal international midfielder.

“We are now in an excellent position in the AFC Champions League group. This victory has significantly improved our chances of reaching the next round.”

Toni was delighted with the manner of the win as the Tigers stood strong to keep the hosts at bay throughout the second period.

“This was our best game of the season,” he added.

“We have all worked hard in the first-half and we were able to score a goal, as planned. In the second-half, Bunyodkor attacked more and had a few moments, but thanks to a successful game by the defence, we were able to win.”

Bunyodkor, by contrast, have just one point to their name and a club that in recent seasons has been among the favourites to lift the AFC Champions League are now in danger of seeing their Asian journey end at the group stage unless they turn it around over their next four games.

Boss Mirdjalal Kasimov laid the blame for the defeat on a lacklustre opening 45 minutes.

“In the first-half we did not get into the game,” he said.

“We made a lot of mistakes in simple situations. We planned to control the ball and organise our attacks down the wings.

“But, apparently, because of their strong desire the players often were in too much of a hurry to go on the attack.

“In the second half we started playing better but the result was not achieved. It may have been if Al Ittihad played against us with more attacking football, but they played five defenders and tried to catch us on the counterattack.”

It is a much-changed Bunyodkor side these days and Kasimov admitted they missed the creativity of midfielder Server Djeparov, who left for fellow AFC Champions League participants FC Seoul.

“We expect the return of injured Sakhob Juraev in the next 10 days but we miss Server Djeparov not only for set pieces, but also his playmaking. No one can replace him.”