The hosts looked set for a comprehensive win when Kaluđerović added to Marko Stanojević’s superb opener to make it 2-0 before half-time, but Ahal came storming back into the match with two Elman Tagayev goals in the space of nine second-half minutes.

A successfully converted 76th-minute penalty kick from Nasaf youngster Khusain Norchaev finally settled the tie in favour of the Uzbekistan Super League outfit, maintaining their perfect record in this year’s competition and keeping alive their bid to add to the AFC Cup title they won in 2011.

Marko Stanojević gave the Uzbek side the lead with a sensational long-range strike after 26 minutes and they looked like winners when Andrija Kaluđerović added a second minutes later, but Ahal’s Elman Tagayev scored two second half goals to bring the visitors level before Norchaev struck the decisive blow in a see-sawing battle

The results sets up a clash between Nasaf and South Zonal champions ATK Mohun Bagan, with the Indian side to travel to Karshi for the winner-takes-all tie on September 22.

As the Mariners now look ahead to September's meeting with either Uzbekistan's FC Nasaf or Turkmenistan's FC Ahal, and the three eliminated teams aim to come back stronger in 2022, the-AFC.com looks at the key takeaways from Group D.

Bengaluru dominated from the start to lead 3-0 up at half-time, before Maziya found the net twice but the Indian Super League side powered to victory as Pezzaiuoli's side finished third in the standings with four points with Maziya ending their campaign with three defeats.

Bashundhara, needing to win to advance, took the lead in the 28th minute through Fernandes’ right-footed effort but the Bangladesh champions then suffered a blow with Sushanto Tripura being sent off just before half-time.

ATK Mohun Bagan capitalised in the second half with David Williams equalising in the 62nd minute.

The result meant that undefeated ATK Mohun Bagan completed their Group D campaign with seven points, while Bashundhara made their exit with five points.

With the hosts having not picked up any points going into the game, and India's Bengaluru only taking a point and scoring no goals, this match represented an opportunity to showcase their credentials without the pressure of getting a result, and the Karnataka-based side duly delivered.

The Australian striker’s 62nd-minute equaliser gave the Indian side the point they needed to advance as Group D winners, setting up a clash against the Central Asian zonal champions in next month’s Inter-Zone semi-finals

Bashundhara had looked to be on the way to a momentous victory when Brazilian midfielder Fernandes put them ahead just before the half-hour mark, but the momentum swung ATK Mohun Bagan’s way after Sushanto Tripura was sent off in the dying seconds of the first half.

There can only be one winner when the two unbeaten sides cross paths, with the victors to carry the hopes of the entire Central Asian region into the latter stages of the tournament.

Ninety minutes, or perhaps a few more, will decide which club will advance to the Inter-Zone Semi-finals as Central Asia’s last team standing, with the South Zonal champions lying in wait.

Join the-AFC.com as we look at how Nasaf and Ahal made it this far, who stood out during the group stage and what it all means ahead of Wednesday’s blockbuster clash at Karshi’s Markaziy Stadium.

It is a must-win match for the Bangladesh champions as they sit second in the standings with four points, two adrift of leaders ATK Mohun Bagan of India with the group winners to book their place in the Inter-Zone Semi-final.

Bengaluru and Maziya go into the match still seeking their first win with both having already been eliminated from the competition.