Serbian Milos Trifunovic scored a brace after Anvar Soliev and Anvar Gafurov gave them a 2-0 lead. Muydin Mamazulunov reduced the deficit for Almalyk.

ACL ever-presents Pakhtakor, who finished last in Group B this season, defeated Metallurg 1-0, thanks to a goal from Dusan Savic but they are still three points adrift of leaders Bunyodkor after nine rounds.

Bunyodkor are on 25 points with eight wins and a draw while Pakhtakor, on 22, are followed by AFC Cup 2011 R16 qualifiers Nasaf on 21.

Nasaf, who will host two-time winners Jordan’s Al Faisaly on May 24, were held 1-1 by Navabhor after Andrejs Perepljotkins’ 80th minute opener for Nasaf was cancelled out by Otabek Validjanov in stoppage time.