Both sides came into the tie knowing a win was vital and it was the hosts who dealt best with the early pressure, firing seven shots at goal in the opening 20 minutes, but rarely forcing Dordoi shot-stopper Pavel Matiash into meaningful action.

When Matiash was called upon in the 23rd minute, there was little he could do to stop a wonderfully inventive volley from Altymyrat Annadurdyyev, who spotted the Kyrgyz Republic international marginally off his line and punished him with a perfectly executed 25-yard lob.

Fully aware their campaign was on the brink of ruin, Dordoi looked to press forward but a promising effort from former Altyn Asyr forward Vahyt Orazsahedov, which skidded across the face of goal and wide, was the closest they came to scoring in a half where the hosts produced 12 shots on goal to three.

Alexander Krestinin’s side tried to force the issue after the interval, but Altyn Asyr kept enough bodies back to deal with what they had to offer, before a disastrous own goal from Dordoi captain Azamat Baimatov – who headed a seemingly innocuous long throw into his own net - gave the Kyrgyz champions a mountain to climb at 2-0 down in the 62nd minute.

Bekzhan Sagynbaev forced Altyn Astyr goalkeeper Mammet Orazmuhammedov into a rare save with 20 minutes remaining, before Yakshiyev narrowly missed a chance to put the result beyond doubt at the other end as the game gradually started to open up.

Dordoi found the slightest of lifelines when substitute Ernist Batyrkanov pulled a goal back; heading in a loose ball after Sagynbaev’s deflected initial attempt was spilled by Orazmuhammedov with four minutes remaining.

But their chances of a fightback were snuffed out once and for all just three minutes later by Yakshiev, who made no mistake from 10 yards after being expertly provided by Selim Nurmyradov, as Altyn Asyr completed what may prove to be a pivotal win.