The hosts needed to win at King Fahd International Stadium to seal top spot and with it home advantage in the last 16 of the tournament.

They got off to a bad start as Sherzodbek Karimov put the visitors ahead on the half hour, but things took a turn for the worse for the Uzbeks when Aleksander Kletskov was sent off eight minutes later.

Marcelo Camacho levelled from the penalty spot after 64 minutes before Flavio scored the winner four minutes before time.

The victory means Al Shabab finish top of the standings while Pakthakor still go through as they take second place.

“It was one of the best matches that has been played so far in the competition,” said Parreira.

“We all enjoyed the performance of both teams’ players who provided a very entertaining game.

"Pakhtakor are one of the best teams in the competition and it is not easy to defeat such a team with such good players who performed well tonight.”

Pakhtakor had been in the ascendancy in the first half but Al Shabab came out fighting after the break to turn the game on its head.

“During the break, I talked to my players and told them that Pakhtakor was playing with 10 men, and we should play openly with concentration of the two sides of our opponent," added Parreira.

"The two players who I used in the beginning of the second half, Abdu Al Jaizani and Zaid Al Muallad, have helped me put my plans into practice.”

Pakhtakor coach Miodrag Radulovic paid tribute to Al Shabab for their win and labelled the Saudis as one of the best teams in the AFC Champions League.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to Al Shabab for the win,” he said.

“I think Al Shabab are not only the best team in the group but also the best in the whole competition. I sincerely wish them the very best of luck.”

Radulovic admitted the sending off of Kletskov proved the turning point.

"When we played against Al Shabab 11 against 11, we were in the lead and were performing well. However, the sending off of our defender and other circumstances gave Shabab the initiative,” he added.

"Al Shabab were good, especially their midfielders who played great all through the match and showed an impressive performance.”