Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Khujand: Mus’ab Al Lahham scored the only goal midway through the second half as Jordanian runners-up Al Ramtha edged out fellow AFC Cup debutants Ravshan from Tajikistan 1-0 on Wednesday.
Al Lahham struck the decisive goal of the Group D opener after 68 minutes at 20 Years of Independence Tajikistan Stadium in Khujand City.
With clubs from Tajikistan making their debut in the competition this season, domestic champions Ravshan were unable to follow up Regar-TadAZ’s 1-1 draw with Lebanon’s Safa in Beirut on Tuesday in Group A.
“It was the first game for us in the AFC Cup and that’s why we felt a little pressure. But my players were able to handle the pressure and that’s why we won a difficult game,” said Al Ramtha coach Belal Al Laham.
“Ravshan wanted to win at home in their first match and they concentrated on attacking.
“We are happy to win our first game, but we want to improve and try to play better in the future.”
With clubs from Tajikistan making their debut in the competition this season, Ravshan’s Ghanaian midfielder David Mawutor created the first real chance for the home side only to be denied by Al Ramtha goalkeeper Abdallah Al Zubi before team-mate Numond Khakimov fired just wide after 12 minutes.
Khakimov then created another opportunity for the home side, but Al Zubi again came to Al Ramtha’s rescue.
Ravshan goalkeeper Rustam Rizoev was called into action for the first time to keep the scores level midway through the first half as the custodian turned Kesse Amangoua’s shot onto the crossbar.
The home side, though, continued to enjoy the better of the chances as Ghanaian striker Solomon Takyi shot wide after breaking clear of the Al Ramtha defence before Khakimov was denied by a last-ditch defensive block following good work from Sadik Musah.
Al Ramtha enjoyed a better start to the second half with Mohammad Kassas twice threatening for the visitors after the hour mark.
And despite being forced onto the backfoot for the majority of the contest, Al Ramtha broke the deadlock with 22 minutes remaining as Al Lahham found the back of the net from the edge of the area after Ravshan were caught out by a counterattack.
Defender Hasan Rustamov should have earned Ravshan a point in the closing stages, but failed to guide his header on target with Al Ramtha Al Zubi out of position.
“We began the match very well and made several dangerous attacks. If we had scored first the match might have finished differently, but we couldn’t take advantage of these chances,” said Ravshan coach Mirahmadov.
“Al Ramtha tried to play with counterattacks and they did it in the second half.
“We will try to play better in the next match in this tournament to make our fans happy.”