Kuruvchi took the lead after ten minutes through Anvarjon Soliev before Server Djeparov made it 2-0 after 38 minutes to eliminate Al Ittihad from the competition with only one game remaining.

Mirdjalal Kasimov’s team need just a point from their final game against last year’s finalists Sepahan from Iran in Matchday Six on May 21 to top Group A and reach the last eight in their first-ever appearance in the
continental championship.

The home fans didn’t have to wait long to celebrate the opening goal when in the 10th minute Server Djeparov’s powerful shot from the right was followed up by Anvarjon Soliev who made no mistake from close range.

Al Ittihad tried to get back into the game and should have leveled the scores in the 28th minute but Osama
Al Muwalad’s effort went wide just two minutes before Hamad Al Montashari shot into the side netting.

But Kuruvchi stunned Al Ittihad with a second goal in the 38th minute when Jasur Hasanov progressed down the right flank before crossing for Djeparov, who headed home the second goal for his side.

Al Ittihad should have pulled a goal back two minutes before the break when Brazilian midfielder Tcheco set-up Alhassane Keita but the Guinean striker contrived to fire wide with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Al Ittihad coach Gabriel Calderon made two attacking substitutions at the start of the second half but it was Kuruvchi who had the best chances to further extend their lead.

They first should have added another goal five minutes after the hour mark when Victor Karpenko struck a powerful shot from long range that was saved by Al Ittihad goalkeeper Tisir Al Antaif.

Al Ittihad’s only chance in the second half came eight minutes before the end when Osama Al Muwalad received the ball inside the area before firing over the crossbar from close range.

The home side had another chance three minutes before the end when Azizbek Haydarov struck a powerful free kick from the edge of the area that was saved by the Al Ittihad goalkeeper.