Neither side could find a way through in front of a bumper crowd in eastern Uzbekistan and the teams will have another 90 minutes – plus the possibility of extra-time and penalties – at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium next Thursday to determine who progresses.

The Saudi Pro League side, winners of the title in 2004 and 2005, were missing former France international striker Karim Benzema but featured high profile signings N’golo Kante and Fabinho in their starting line-up yet struggled against a well-drilled home team.
Al Ittihad carved their way through the Navbahor defence in the early exchanges, with Marwan Al Sahafi shooting into Utkir Yusupov’s hands after cutting in from the right and striking on the run.

Abderrazzaq Hamedallah then rattled the goalkeeper’s left post from eight yards out while Hassan Kadish glanced his header across the face of goal at a corner, all with barely 10 minutes gone.

But, after Romarinho blazed his shot over the bar when given a sight of goal in the 15th minute, the home side settled as the half wore on.

Madallah Al Oloyan was well off target with his attempt 10 minutes before the interval and Ruslanbek Jiyanov saw his effort in a rare Navbahor opportunity blocked as both teams cancelled each other out.

The stalemate continued into the second half, with Hamedallah and Ahmed Hegazy both missing for the visitors and Al Ittihad goalkeeper Abdullah Al Muaiouf was only called into action with 15 minutes remaining.

That was when Jiyanov picked up a loose ball 20 yards out when heading towards his own goal, the midfielder turning to hit a right-foot shot that flew into the arms of Al Muaiouf.