It was Tadjiev’s surging run that created the opening goal for the hosts in the 38th minute as he beat three men before feeding Artur Geykorian, whose low finish slipped under the body of keeper Seyed Rahmati.

Sepahan equalised in first-half stoppage time through Ahmad Jamshidian’s header but substitute Alexander Geynrikh netted the winner in the 71st minute with his first touch as his curling free-kick eluded everyone in a crowded penalty area and bounced directly into the net.

“I had studied Sepahan’s game and I knew that they were strong in the middle of the pitch,” said Radulovic.

“That’s why I put Kamoliddin Tadjiev in the middle. He played perfectly. I gave a chance to Geynrikh in the second-half because he is not ready to play the full 90 minutes yet.

As well as having to start with the influential Geynrikh on the bench, Pakhtakor were also without playmaker Odil Ahmedov due to injury and Radulovic was pleased with the way his side coped without two of their biggest stars in the starting line-up.

“Today we played without our best player, Odil Ahmedov, but we overcame these circumstances and we won a tough match,” he added.

“It was tough tactical match today. Sepahan are the best team in our group in my opinion.

“It was an important match. Now we ready to continue to play in the AFC Champions League. I’d like to thank our supporters and the players.”

Sepahan boss Amir Ghalenoi, on the other hand, felt the foul leading up to Geynrikh’s free-kick should not have been given although he was generally pleased with what he saw from his men.

“We have to play with Pakhtakor once more and I think we still have a good chance. I like the way my team played today. I don’t like the goal which we conceded after the foul,” said Ghalenoi.

“I’d like to congratulate Pakhtakor on their win. Meanwhile, I’d like to ask the referee to watch again that moment.”

Having picked out Ahmedov as a potential danger man before the game, Ghalenoi felt Pakhtakor showed no effects after the midfielder was left out.

“The absence of Odil Ahmedov had no influence on Pakhtakor’s performance today,” he added.

“Pakhtakor played well but we were unlucky.”