The Fergana side are in the lower reaches of the Uzbek league after losing their first two games of the season and are also trying to pick up the pieces in the AFC Cup after a 5-1 thrashing by Lebanon’s Al Ahed in their Group A opener in Beirut last week.

Nefchi coach Yuri Sarkisyan, who has led Neftchi to five league titles during his 22 years in charge, has cited injuries as the main reason for the dismal start with defenders Maxim Usmanov and Azamat Juramuradov and forwards Anvar Berdyev and Ilya Kovalenko all sidelined.

Sarkisyan has had to draft in youngsters like Sardor Mirzaev and Alisher Halikov although the veteran coach is confident that they can do the job against Al Tilal, who lost 3-1 to Busaiteen of Bahrain.

“We want to please our fans with a victory and a beautiful game. It will be our first home match of the season and we are determined to give our fans a reason to celebrate,” he said.

“We have problems with our squad, but our young players are ready to play at a serious level as three of them were in the team that finished runners-up in Asian U-19 Championship last year.”

Al Tilal arrived in Uzbekistan on Saturday without coach Abdullah Fodel, who remained in Yemen due to a family illness, following a goalless draw with Al Shoala the day before.

The other Group A game sees Busaiteen and Al Ahed face off in a top of the table clash at Bahrain National Stadium.

“The game against Al Ahed will be very difficult as both teams want to continue their winning starts in the competition and go to the top of the group,” said Busaiteen coach Abdulaziz Ameen.

“The winners will take a huge step towards qualifying from the group.

“We will play with a good formation in the match and we must make full use of our home advantage.”

Al Ahed coach Fouad Saad added: “The match against Busaiteen is a chance to confirm our good start in the competition. Both teams have three points and a win on Tuesday will be very important.

“We have watched their game against Al Tilal and hope that we can get a positive result. All the players know that they have a big responsibility and hopefully we can continue our good performances.”