Ibrahim Bayesh and Dragan Ceran came close to scoring as both sides huffed and puffed throughout the 90 minutes without a knockout blow landed - with both goalkeepers pulling off good saves in the process.

A Jovan Đokić own goal and a Manuchehr Dzhalilov strike had the Tajik champions 2-0 up in the match billed as the Central Asian derby, before AMGK pulled a goal back through Zafar Polvonov just before the hour mark. Muhammadjon Rahimov sealed the points for Istiklol with 10 minutes remaining, but only after they survived the nervous finale that followed Polvonov's second in the 90th minute.

The win, a first for any club from Tajikistan in Asia’s premier competition, puts Istiklol second in the group, giving them the chance to go clear on top with a win against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal SFC on Wednesday.

Bafétimbi Gomis and André Carrillo gave the 2019 AFC Champions League winners a two-goal cushion at half-time in an impressive win for the Saudi Arabia side.

The win was Al Hilal's first of the campaign after being held 2-2 by AGMK FC of Uzbekistan on Matchday One while Shabab Al Ahli's search of a first triumph continues after having opened with a 0-0 draw with Tajikistan's FC Istiklol.

The home side had lost their opening Group C match against Esteghlal by a huge scoreline while their Qatari opponents took all three points against Iraqi side Al Shorta. The two sides had to settle for a draw this time around.

The two sides entered the game on the back of contrasting Matchday One results, with Al Shorta having lost to Al Duhail SC 2-0 while Esteghlal overpowered Al Ahli Saudi FC 5-2.

Goals from last year’s top scorer Abderazak Hamdallah and second half substitutes Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem and Khalid Al-Ghannam gave 2020 semi-finalists Al Nassr their first victory of this year's campaign, having opened with a 0-0 draw against Jordan's Al Wehdat.

Qatar champions Al Sadd, meanwhile, are still seeking their first win after needing a last gasp equaliser to salvage a point against Foolad Khouzestan FC of Islamic Republic of Iran on Matchday One.

The Brazilian striker’s shot from the penalty spot was the difference against Jordan's Al Wehdat on Saturday, securing the necessary three points for the Islamic Republic of Iran side in their bid to reach the Round of 16.