Pakhtakor would have felt it was a case of two points dropped after they settled for a 1-1 draw with Al Ahli Saudi FC three weeks ago in Jeddah.

Flamarion's 86th minute goal looked to have sealed the points for Pakhtakor, only for Feras Al Brikan to draw two-time defending champions Al Ahli level in added time.

Pakhtakor, however, will draw confidence from their performance and this spells danger for Al Qadsiah, who had a continental debut to savour.

Coached by former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, Al Qadsiah kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 defeat of UAE's Al Wasl FC, with the win richly deserved as the Dammam-based side dictated terms from the start.

Pakhtakor away will be a challenge but Al Qadsiah's confidence would have been boosted by their opening win and they will fancy another three points.