“As you saw, we dominated for most of the game but we were unable to create many chances,” said Akhmedov. “It was difficult to play in the last attack phase when you have such a saturated defence. 

 

“We remain optimistic for the second leg match. Perhaps in this first leg, the players were a little nervous because we were up against quality opposition in a high-level game but I’m confident that the second game will be better than the first one.”

Mark Jackson also left the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium feeling positive that home comforts at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford will take Mariners into the final.

 

“It was a very difficult game against a strong opponent,” said Jackson. “We weren’t at our best today and we know we can be better than that.

 

“We got ourselves into a good position with the goal but we couldn’t see the game out. We are happy to take this score back and we’ll be ready for the next game."

“We weren’t surprised by how they played. They played with lots of freedom and movement. We knew how good they were. Defensively we limited their opportunities.”

 

The winners will face either Oman’s Al Nahda or Al Ahed of Lebanon in the final of the last edition of the AFC Cup.