"Our main aim is success in Asia,” said Karimi, who guided PAS to continental success in 1993.

“We’re prioritising Asian matches more than the league because the world takes more notice of Asian football."

Saba are fresh from a 2-0 win over fellow AFC Champions League qualifiers Piroozi which leaves them fourth in their domestic table but they have drawn their opening two Group A games and will need to take full advantage of their home games, starting with Pakhtakor.

"As soon as we knew Pakhtakor were going to be in our group, we started watching their matches and studying their players and we also sent someone to watch their win over Al Ahli,” said Karimi, who must do without defender Alireza Latifi, midfielder Mostafa Haghipour and forward Ali Amiri for the visit of the Uzbeks.

"We have a specific plan for this match, I cannot tell you what it is, but our only aim is to win.

"Physically, we’re stronger than them but they’re slightly better tactically. With these points in mind, we’ve got a strategy which will hopefully see us win because these three points can be a platform for qualification.”

Pakhtakor, meanwhile, head to Iran leading Group A and coach Victor Djalilov will continue to send his side out to claim all three points to ensure the Uzbeks escape from the AFC Champions League’s ’group of death.”

The two-time semi-finalists hold a two-point cushion at the top of the table after picking up four points from their opening two games, but Djalilov is not getting carried away with his side battling poor domestic form.

The eight-time Uzbekistan champions have picked up just five points from their opening three games of the new season and although they are unbeaten have won just one game and sit in mid-table.

"A win will make a big difference in this group," said Djalilov.

"This is a difficult group, a group of death in reality, and it’s impossible to say which team will go through.

"We’ll try to be one of the top two teams in the end but all the teams in the group are of a similar strength which is why we’ve come to Qom for all three points."