Shervoni Mabatshoev nearly put Regar-TadAZ ahead after only seven minutes, his shot on the turn from outside the box caught goalkeeper Abed Saleh by surprise but in the end, went just wide.

The Tajikistan side went in front two minutes later, Mabatshoev beat the offside trap to get to Sherzod Makhamadiev’s through pass but saw his curler pushed away by Saleh, with Ozodbek Panzhiev tapping home the rebound.

Safa then were forced to make two changes due to injuries but still managed to eke out the equaliser five minutes before half-time, Habib Shweikh with a spectacular 25-yard free-kick that curled into the top corner beyond Manuel Panny.

The Lebanon side were the better team after the break, taking the lead in the 50th minute after working a short corner for Mohammad El Hayek to deliver a teasing cross which was finished by a stooping Tidiane Camara header.

Regar-TadAZ had opportunities to draw level but were left frustrated with Makhamadiev’s flicked header going wide before Daler Imomnazarov powered into the box only to see Saleh pull off a fine save.

Safa had to withstand heavy pressure from Regar-TadAZ in the closing minutes but did so with resilience to pick up the only win of their campaign.