The Turkmenistan side had two players sent off in Friday’s 2-2 draw against Khujand, relying on a first half brace from star striker Altymyrat Annadurdyyev to escape without defeat in their first competitive match of 2021.

Under the circumstances, Hojageldiyev was satisfied to emerge from that match with a point, but a similar result on Monday could see the Yokary Liga champions eliminated from the knockout stage contention before Thursday’s final group stage fixture against FC Nasaf.

While Group E hosts Dordoi are making their first appearance in this year’s competition, Ahal already have a 3-1 win over Tajikistan's FC Ravshan under their belt, with another victory to confirm the Turkmen side as group winners even before Thursday’s final Matchday.

Playing in their first competitive match in nearly six months, the Turkmenistan title holders suffered a major setback when Berdimyrat Rejebov was shown a straight red card after 17 minutes but managed to avoid defeat thanks largely to a first-half brace from star striker Altymyrat Annadurdyyev.

Having reached half-time level at 2-2, Altyn Asyr had to survive the final few minutes of the clash with just nine men following Mekan Saparov’s second yellow card but managed to avoid defeat against the group hosts.

Appearing in the tournament for the first time since winning it a decade ago, the Uzbek outfit were in command from the opening whistle but took until the 53rd minute to take the lead through substitute Sukhrob Nurulloev.

Nurulloev’s goal proved to be the turning point, with Shohmalik Komilov, Khusain Norchaev and Khusniddin Alikulov all subsequently getting on the scoresheet in a match where Nasaf had 33 shots at goal.

Absent from continental competition since 2014, and still a second division club in their home country until the end of last season, Ravshan struggled to get to grips with their opponents early, falling behind to a pair of Elman Tagayev goals within the opening 20 minutes.

Half-time substitutions and a Daler Shomurodov penalty got the Kulob club back into the contest after half-time, but Gurban Annayev’s 63rd-minute goal put the contest to bed, meaning Ravshan could be eliminated even before their second and final group stage match next Thursday.

Tan has named a 25-member training squad with Belgian-based Luqman Hakim Shamsudin, Johor Darul Ta'zim's Arif Aiman Hanapi and naturalised players Liridon Krasniqi and Guilherme de Paula all new inclusions.

Malaysia are on nine points from five matches in Group G of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023. Vietnam are on top with 11 points, Thailand third (8), followed by the UAE (6) and Indonesia, who have yet to register a point after five matches.

Fourth in Group G of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, UAE face four matches in 13 days to round off the second round of qualification, beginning with Malaysia on June 3.

They then take on Thailand on June 7, Indonesia four days later and group leaders Vietnam on June 15.