El Jaish only needed a draw to progress to the last 16 and they seemed to have achieved their target after Mohammad Muntari struck early in the second half to cancel out Sergii Symonenko’s early goal.
But Rashidov’s late volley ensured that it will be the Uzbek side who will be playing in the Round of 16 next month. Having stated the game three points behind El Jaish in Group B, Bunyodkor began brightly and they took the lead in the 13th minute.
Sardor Sabirkhodjaev’s free-kick was dropped by El Jaish goalkeeper Ahmed Sofyan after he collided with one of his defenders. Bakhodir Pardaev picked up the loose ball and although his shot was blocked by an El Jaish defender, Symonenko was able to turn it in from close range.
El Jaish improved after the break and they got back on level terms in the 52nd minute. A long ball from the back was chested down by Muntari and he then volleyed a powerful shot from just inside the area past goalkeeper Akbar Turaev despite the attention of of Hayrulla Karimov and Sergii Symonenko. The Qatari side seemed to be on their way to the last 16 but in a frantic conclusion to the game, Bunyodkor snatched the victory.
A long ball was lofted into the El Jaish box and amidst the confusion, the ball bounced off Anderson Vieira to Sardor Rashidov who volleyed into the top corner past Ahmed Sofyan.