Khujand and Dordoi both failed to win their respective opening games in Group D two weeks ago, which only increased the pressure heading into the Matchday Two tie.
A vocal crowd backing the hosts saw Ergashev unleash a curling shot just over the bar in the opening minutes after dancing his way around two Dordoi defenders.
But just seconds later, the away side should’ve been ahead after Vahyt Orazsakhedov rounded goalkeeper Davit Kupatadze but his touch escaped him and the ball trickled harmlessly over the byline.
The frenetic pace of the game in the first half was typified by the opening goal on 17 minutes as Dordoi took the lead through the impressive Bekzhan Sagynbaev.
After teasing multiple defenders, Kairat Zhyrgalbek’s cross was somehow allowed to bounce in the area before the Kyrgyz Republic forward headed home from close range.
Just as it looked like Khujand were going to head into half time without a goal, it was Vasiev who popped up to level the scores after he skipped past a defender, composed himself and unleashed a stinging shot which gave Pavel Matiash no chance in goal.
The visitors would go on to take the lead with less than half an hour remaining in the match, Firdavs Chakalov’s looping cross expertly evaded defender Azamat Baimatov to find Vasiev whose header zipped into the bottom corner, sending the crowd into raptures.
Azamat Baimatov then picked up two yellow cards in the space of 10 minutes – the second of which saw him give away a penalty with two minutes of regular time remaining – before Ergashev converted the spot kick in the 90th minute to seal all three points.
Khujand next host Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr on Matchday Three while for Dordoi, they head to Dushanbe to face FC Istiklol.
