Al Taawoun bossed the start of the game but only managed to create one dangerous moment, from a corner kick in the 12th minute that saw Flavio da Silva hammering a shot against the upright.

The Saudi Pro League side continued to push hard for the opening goal, going close from a Musa Barrow curling free-kick that needed Altyn Asyr keeper Dovletmuhammet Jallatov to readjust his position to catch the ball.

Altyn Asyr had very few touches in Al Taawoun’s half of the pitch, such was the home side’s dominance with the persistent pressure paying off late in the first half.

Faycal Fajr’s free-kick in the second minute of added time found Barrow, who produced a deft touch for Joao Pedro to flick home from close range.

Al Taawoun made a lightning start to the second half, Fajr with a long ball up front to Barrow who rolled a pass for Sultan Mandash to sweep home past a bewildered Jallatov in the 47th minute.

That jolted Altyn Asyr and for the first time in the game, they were able to advance into Al Taawoun’s penalty box area in the 58th minute and they made full use of it, with Rahman Myratberdiyev smashing a shot into the top corner.

Altyn Asyr drew confidence from the goal and started pushing more men forward but it was Al Taawoun who almost restored their two-goal advantage, Barrow’s 82nd minute curler bouncing off the post with Jallatov already well-beaten.

There was a late opportunity for Myrat Annayev but he smashed his long range attempt well over the bar and with that went Altyn Asyr’s last chance to salvage the game.