Aref Haitham, who was instrumental in Al Hussein’s win in the reverse fixture, was given a start but the exciting forward only lasted 18 minutes before being taken off following an innocuous injury.

Nasaf took advantage to take the lead five minutes later after an intricate move set up Sharof Mukhitdinov to blast home into the top corner despite the best efforts of Al Hussein custodian Yazed Abulaila.

Al Hussein weren’t behind for long as Haitham’s replacement Reziq Banihani stepped up in the 31st minute to flick home Mahmoud Al Mardi’s cross with a header past a rooted Nasaf keeper Abduvakhid Nematov.

The Jordanian champions went on to take the half-time lead after Banihani again found the back of the net, shrugging off the challenge of Igor Golban in the third minute of first half added on time to slot past Nematov.

The half-time break seemed to have invigorated Nasaf as the home side threatened to draw level early in the second half.

Bobir Abdixolikov, who came on in place of Marusic, hit the side netting in the 50th minute before Stefan Colovic’s effort from just inside the box six minutes later was claimed by Abulaila.

However, Nasaf’s determination began to wilt as the clock ticked down with Al Hussein becoming increasingly comfortable in fending off the home side, and it stayed that way until the final whistle.

Al Hussein will look to confirm their knockout stage spot when they face UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli Dubai on November 27 while Nasaf will hope to bounce back against Kuwait SC.