Al Shabab’s bid for continental success ended at the first hurdle as Caio Junior’s men were comfortably beaten 2-0 in Uzbekistan by Bunyodkor.
Eldor Shomurodov was the home side’s hero, netting a first half double as the Swallows progressed to the group stages of the AFC Champions League.
The visitors failed to find a spark in a freezing Tashkent where the match was played in 1C conditions, with the hosts impressively organised, disciplined and far more superior.
The Hawks’ best chance to get back into the contest came just after the hour mark when Moldova international Henrique Luvannor saw his shot saved while Brazilian attacker Juninho Potiguar blazed over from the rebound.
Junior pin-pointed that as the key moment.
“I think we played a good game, especially in the second half when we had one big chance to make it 2-1. I think this moment was the most important moment of the game,” said Junior who also vented his frustration at the club’s decision to replace Brazilian striker Jo with compatriot Potiguar in the January transfer window.
“We had a problem because the club wanted to sell Jo. He scored 16 goals in 19 games. But the club, not me, decided to change because they had financial problems,” added Junior.
Bunyodkor, two-time semi-finalists, haven’t played a competitive game in more than two months but it was Shabab who looked lethargic and off the pace, with the hosts in control throughout.
They were up against it from the start with Shomurodov putting Bunyodkor ahead after just two minutes, the 20-year-old showing good composure to hold off a defender and sidefoot past the onrushing Salem Abdulla.
Кайо Жуниор: "Бунёдкор" доказал свой высокий уровеньhttps://t.co/fqlTpxMIFT pic.twitter.com/siQCIMb0jo
— FC Bunyodkor (@fcbunyodkorcom) February 9, 2016
Shabab were barely involved during the opening 45 minutes, enjoying just 38 per cent possession and not managing a shot on target, their best chance a header from centre-back Mohammed Marzooq drifting harmlessly wide.
Bunyodkor deservedly made it 2-0 in the 35th minute, Shomurodov striking again as he beat Mahmood Qassim to Akramjon Komilov’s inviting delivery from the left to tuck past Abdulla and leave Shabab with a daunting task.
Shabab were moderately better after the break but their best chance to get back in the contest then came and went, with Potiguar blazing his effort high into the Bunyodkor Stadium stands.
Shomurodov could have completed his hat-trick when he fizzed an effort just wide and Bunyodkor should have put the tie beyond doubt four minutes from time when Villanueva was caught in possession, but Marzooq, Shabab’s most impressive performer, denied substitute Shakzodbek Nurmatov with a superb block.
Villanueva’s long range effort forced a fine stop from Zukhurov as Shabab at least finished with a flourish, but Sergey Lushchan’s side will now join Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, Iran’s Zob Ahan and Qatar’s Lekhwiya in Group B.
“Al Shabab have some fantastic foreigners but we tried to not give them chances to score. Our players kept to my game plan,” said Lushchan, who wants his side to better last year’s performance when they finished bottom of their group with just a point.
“We will try to improve our performance (from last year) and not repeat the mistakes we made. We will try to get to the final and win the Champions League,” he said.
