Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dushanbe: Jasim Mohammed scored in the dying seconds to end FC Istiklol’s hopes of advancing to the knockout phase of the 2016 AFC Cup after last year’s runners-up lost 1-0 to Iraq’s Nafit Al Wasat on Tuesday.
The result means the Tajikistan league champions, who lost to Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim in last year’s final, cannot amass enough points in their remaining two Group B matches to have any hope of progressing to the last 16.
Nafit move to the top of the group with nine points as a result of the win, with Jordan’s Al Faisaly in second a point further back. Tripoli from Lebanon are in third place with four points while Istiklol have only picked a solitary point.
“Unfortunately we lost the game and missed the chance to go to the next stage,” said Istiklol coach Mubin Ergashev.
“We created a lot of chances, but couldn’t score and we conceded from our opponent’s attack in the last minutes.
“We will try to have positive results in the last two matches. We wanted to make our fans happy with our participation, but we couldn’t do it this season. It’s now time to give the chance to our youngsters. I hope they will get good experience in the last matches.”
Neither side impressed in a disjointed game and it was Istiklol who went closest to breaking the deadlock just before the half hour mark when Nafit defender Isam Yaseen headed the ball against his own post after a cross from Oleksandr Kablash. The ball rebounded off the woodwork and into the arms of goalkeeper Noor Sabri.
Ayad Khalaf’s shot from long range sailed over the bar in the first half ,while Jasim Mohammed saw his attempt blocked by the home defence just as he was about to take aim 17 minutes into the second period.
In the 74th minute Dilshod Vasiev shot from long range, only for his low attempt to be comfortably collected by Sabri before Manuchehr Jalilov headed Akmal Homatov’s cross from the left wide with the goal at his mercy with just seconds left on the clock,
But just seconds later, Mohammed slid in at the near post to meet Nadim Sabag’s low cross from the left, beating Nikola Stosic at his near post to end Istkilol’s slim hopes of progressing to the next phase of the competition.
“I’m happy with the victory,” said Nafit coach Falah Hassan. “We knew the match would be very difficult for us. Istiklol are a good team and they tried to take their chances to win the game.
“Our opponents played attacking football but we played well in defence and scored from our best chance. Our target is to go to far in the tournament. It has been first game for me in this competition and I am satisfied with our team work.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports