The Tashkent-based club finished second in Group D on eight points, four adrift of table-toppers Ettifaq and with one point more than third-placed Sepahan while the draw left Al Shabab rooted to the bottom of the standings.

Bunyodkor will now have to play their second round match on the road and will meet Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab, who have already sealed top spot in Group B thanks to their impressive form throughout the competition.

Amet Memet’s side had the upper hand going into Tuesday’s clash, needing only a draw to go through while Al Shabab required all three points as they sought to progress to the knockout phase.

Bunyodkor looked the more likely to open the scoring throughout the first half, with left-sided midfielder Jasur Hasanov twice going close from the edge of the area inside the first 20 minutes.

Ulugbek Bakaev found the side netting of the Al Shabab goal in the 26th minute with his right-footed effort while three minutes later the Bunyodkor striker forced goalkeeper Ismail Rabee into action when he palmed away Bakaev’s weak header.

The home side continued to dominate proceedings in the second period, when AFC Player of the Year Server Djeparov caused Al Shabab problems, no more so than in the 65th minute when his angled ball left the defence flat-footed only for his cross to roll harmlessly across the face of goal.

Al Shabab were left hoping to make headway with long range efforts and free kicks and Brazilian midfielder Assuncao forced a save out of Murotjon Zukhurov just after the midway mark in the half.

At the other end, Rivaldo beat two defenders before firing over the bar in the 69th minute and, three minutes later, the World Cup winner sent his low effort just wide of Rabee’s left post.

Zukhurov was again called into action 15 minutes from time when he pushed Assuncao’s free kick to safety in what turned out to be the last roll of the dice for Al Shabab as the Emiratis exited the tournament.