Huge win at home! _ Pakhtakor (UZB) - Al Hilal SFC (KSA) _ Highlights _ AFC Champions League Elite

Al-Hilal travel to Tashkent to face Paktakor as the first leg of their last-16 clash gets underway. The side from Uzbekistan only just qualified for the knockout stages, while the Blues from Saudi Arabia finish top of the pile in the West, scoring an impressive 26 goals in the process. Ryan Riascos has hit the ground running since joining Paktakor in January, with two goals in as many Champions League games for his new side. However, the hosts are without their captain, Sabir Hojaif, after his sending off on matchday 8. Mitrovic is still nursing a hamstring injury, so goal machine Marcos Leonardo leads the line alone in attack, with Caio Cesar and Aldo Suri on the wings and Malcolm in the middle. Eight minutes, very strong starts here from the home side in yellow. Paktakor coming forward down the left side, ball in to Riascos. And the January arrival with a diving header, tries to nick it inside the near post. Inches wide in the end. Back the other way just a few moments later. Hilal, a slow start to this game. Here comes the delivery and a header there for Marcos Leonardo. He too, unable to find the target. It's a good cross by Cesar. 27th minute, Paktakor, feeling on the pressure here. Way through the first half. The hopeful efforts are leaning back there by Hamdanov. Every right to go for goal. And it later, Riascos, upper body strength to hold off the challenge. Whips a ball into the middle, chance here for Flamarion. And Paktakor have the breakthrough. It's the two January arrivals combining beautifully. As Flamarion scores his first goal for his new club. Gets in front of the defender, Khalifa Aldosiri there. And puts it away beautifully. Paktakor with confidence running through their veins now. Looking for a second, Alijanov pulls the trigger. Forces a really good save by Yasin Bono. Had to get down early, didn't quite get his hands on it. Managed to keep it out in the end. So 1-0 in favour of Paktakor at the break. On the verge of what would be a very, very memorable win. If they can hold on here in the second half. 60th minute of play. Alijanov desperately looking for a way back into this. As Kayo Cesar tries his luck from outside the box. Saw the space open up, just drags the effort wide. Alijanov coming forward again. A little bit more intent in their play now. And Milenkovic, Savic with a free header. Just drifts away from the defender. No one around him really should be hitting the goal from there. Paktakor. So that's one touch football here. The ball forward from Alijanov to Kholmatov. Not once but twice. Unable to put it in the back of the net. Credit to Kanot. It goes really well to get back the clearance off the line. Final chance for Al-Hilal. The clock ticking down. Haven't got long left now. Al-Hamdan with the opportunity. Has he saved though? So for the first time in nine meetings between the two sides. Paktakor come out on top. Will still have to travel to Riyadh next week. Where Al-Hilal will try and turn the tide in the second leg.