The Uzbek league leaders needed to score three times in the second leg at MHSK Stadium to rescue the tie after a 3-0 loss in Adelaide a fortnight ago, but in the end they managed just one by substitute Bahodir Pardaev with 11 minutes remaining.

But having only taken charge at Kuruvchi late last month following the appointment of former coach Mirdjalal Kasimov as the new Uzbekistan national team boss, Zico was more concerned with looking ahead rather than dwelling on the loss to the Australian club.

"We will look at every area for next year and work to improve every area," said the Brazilian.

"I have only had a short time to work with the team, but next year I will have more time and we will be in the final."

Kuruvchi struggled to break down the disciplined Adelaide defence on a frustrating evening for the home side at MHSK Stadium.

"We were the only team who tried to play, they just defended and restricted our opportunities to score," added Zico.

"We played very well, but I felt we had at least one penalty. But the three goals in Australia, which were down to mistakes, cost us."

Kuruvchi suffered a huge blow when Chilean striker Jose Luis Villanueva, who netted a hat-trick against Saipa in the quarter-finals, had to leave the match early with a hamstring problem.

"The foreign players are the difference. Rivaldo has the experience and is hard to mark, but the problem was Jose Luis did not play enough; this makes it very difficult for us.

"Jose Luis has scored 14 goals for this team but played just 40 minutes in Australia and 30 minutes this time. This makes it very difficult for us."