Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dushanbe: FC Istiklol claimed top spot in Group C and home field advantage in the Round of 16 in the 2015 AFC Cup thanks to a 5-2 thrashing of Ahal FC on Wednesday that maintained their impressive run in the competition.
Manuchehr Dzhalilov scored twice as the Tajik side climbed above reigning champions Qadsia SC at the summit of Group C to set up a meeting with Syria’s Al Wahda in Dushanbe on May 26.
“I’m very happy with the result and team performance,” said Istiklol head coach Mubin Ergashev.
“The players gave everything tonight on the field. They played beautiful and attacking football for our fans and we achieved an important victory.
“We had great team spirit, we were fighting everywhere. I think we played one of the best games in the competition.
“I congratulate the team and the fans for this amazing match and result. We gained first place in the group. It is a great result for us. We played against the two finalists of last year’s tournament and achieved first place.
“We have a chance to play the Round 16 match at home. We want to continue in our way. We will play at home in that game. We will prepare well for the next match.”
Dzhalilov gave Istiklol the lead after just 10 minutes and, in the 28th minute, Khurshid Makhmudov doubled his side’s advantage when he hammered the ball home from inside the penalty area.
Manuel Bleda Rodriguez added a third two minutes later as Istiklol ran rampant, but Mammedaly Garadanov gave Ahal a glimmer of hope seven minutes before the break when he reduced the deficit.
An Ahal own goal restored Istiklol’s three-goal cushion nine minutes after the restart and Dzhalilov made it 5-1 in the first minute of istoppage time before Aitymurad Annaduriyev claimed a consolation for Ahal a minute later.
“I congratulate Istiklol on their victory,” said Ahal coach Boris Grigoryants.
“They played very well tonight. I think it was interesting game and full of attacking football.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t win today. We wanted it, but our opponent was strong. We missed some important points in the previous games. When we played well we couldn’t collect points. We gained good experience this season by participating in the AFC Cup. It was useful for our team.”
Photo: WSG