The visitors spent large periods of the Group D encounter at Ashgabat's Kopetdag Stadium on the back foot, but it was a single defensive lapse that proved decisive, as they were caught cold by a long ball to allow Murat Yakshiyev to score the game's only goal in the 32nd minute.

While fellow Tajik side FC Istiklol's later defeat to Kyrgyz Republic's Dordoi FC keeps Khujand alive in Group D, their position is precarious following Wednesday's loss - one Levchenko vowed to learn from.

A first half strike from Murat Yakshiyev proved decisive for Yazguly Hojageldiyev's side, who registered their first win of the tournament to move to six points from four matches and leapfrog Khujand into second in Group D.

Alexander Krestinin's side looked to be heading for the exit after falling behind to Alisher Dzhalilov's opening goal, but Vahyt Orazsakhedov and Mirlan Murzaev scored in a spirited second-half recovery to take the Kyrgyz Republic side to four points, three behind Group D leaders Istiklol, with two matches to come.

Coming into the match bottom of the group - and with Istiklol having earned maximum points all three of the previous meetings between the sides, including a 4-1 win as recently as May 1, Dordoi were in need a change of fortune - and they held their own in the opening exchanges.

The two teams played out two contrasting halves, the second of which saw three goals packed in a space of 10 minutes. A late goal by Mamunul Islam clinched a hard-fought game in favour of the hosts.

A tight opening kept the teams levelled at half-time, but Yangon outlasted their visitors after the break, with Maung Maung Lwin breaking the deadlock with 15 minutes remaining, before Vinicius Miller scored a penalty kick to ensure Tin Maung Tun's side finished third in Group F.

On an occasion which saw an all-female refereeing team take charge of an AFC Cup fixture for the first time in competition history, the motivation for both sides was to avoid finishing on the bottom of a group that was being decided elsewhere.

The Indonesian side took the lead early on through an audacious free-kick from hat-trick hero Bruno Matos and never looked back, outclassing their visitors to consign them to a sixth defeat from as many matches in Group G.

The Group F tie ended with Yangon winning 2-0.

This was the first time three female referees officiated in the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) club competitions, marking a new milestone in Asian refereeing.