Gamba lost their opening two matches in the AFC Champions League, slumping to defeats at the hands of Pohang Steelers and Adelaide United, but the 2008 winners of the competition responded to the arrival of new coach Masanobu Matsunami by picking up a vital win.

Matsunami took over as head coach last week following the dismissal of Jose Carlos Serrao and, after picking up a point in their J.League encounter against Albirex on Saturday, Gamba earned their first win of the season with victory over the Uzbekistan champions.

"We started the game very well and were playing well up until we took a lead. But after we scored the first goal, we dropped back a little bit. That could be because we went ahead for the first time so far this season. We could have scored more if we had kept pushing. That's something we have to fix," said Matsunami.

"However, our players fought hard to the end of the game, and this victory came from not only their efforts but also from everyone at our club.

"I am happy with my first win as manager, and this was brought by a team effort. But we are not the side to celebrate just because of one win. We will fix what we have to fix to move on to the next game.

"This victory gives us three points, which means a lot to us as our group is pretty even and competitive.

"We will play away in Uzbekistan next and that could be a tough game for us. But we won't rest on this victory but make a step forward to play well in the AFC Champions League and the J.League."

Captain Endo (pictured) gave his side the lead after just 14 minutes before two goals in the second half from Rafinha (Rafael dos Santos de Oliveira) sealed the win as the Brazilian netted twice from the penalty spot after 58 and 82 minutes.

Anvarjon Soliev scored a consolation strike for Bunyodkor with two minutes remaining as the Uzbekistan champions were handed a second defeat of the campaign.

With Pohang edging out Adelaide 1-0 in Korea, Pohang and Adelaide are now tied at the top of the table with identical records, with Gamba and Bunyodkor three points off the pace at the halfway stage in Group E.

"I was expecting an interesting game, and we were trying hard and the game was developing well. We had good momentum, but after we gave away the first goal to Gamba, it was difficult as we were playing away," said Bunyodkor coach Mirdjalal Kasimov

"After the second goal, our players lost their heart and after the third one our players totally lost their commitment to the game.

"I would like to congratulate Gamba for their win from the bottom of my heart, however, we should not have lost this game."