Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Isfahan: Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv claimed a first win of this year’s AFC Champions League after goals from Marat Bikmaev and Sardor Mirzayev secured a 2-0 win over Iran’s Sepahan at a rain-soaked Foolad Shahr Stadium on Tuesday.
Bikmaev opened the scoring with a cool finish after 14 minutes before Mirzayev sealed the win with three minutes remaining.
And after earlier recording back-to-back 1-1 draws with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, Lokomotiv find themselves unbeaten with five points at the halfway stage, with Sepahan two points adrift after suffering a second defeat of the campaign.
“**It was a very hard game for both teams especially playing in such a conditions. We came here to win and we are happy to have taken all three points despite the severe weather,” said Lokomotiv coach Andrey Miklyaev.**
“Today we were strong and I'd like to thank the efforts by all players. We didn't show our normal performance due to the harsh weather, but a good team must be ready to fight in any conditions.”
Lokomotiv enjoyed the perfect start as Sanjar Shaakhmedov played a perfectly weighted pass forward into the penalty area for Bikmaev, who beat onrushing goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi with a composed first-time finish.
The visitors were indebted to goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov 10 minutes before half-time as the custodian, with heavy rain continuing to fall, at full stretch to turn a rasping drive from compatriot Fozil Musaev from outside of the penalty area away for a corner.
And just before half-time a last-ditch block by Sherzod Fayziev denied Luciano Pereira as the Brazilian showed superb skill to bring the slippery ball under control on his chest before firing goalwards from the corner of the six yard area.
Sepahan continued to push at the start of the second half as the rain began to ease and Pereira went close with 19 minutes remaining.
But Lokomotiv sealed the win in the 87th minute as Sepahan pushed forward in search of an equaliser, when a pass from substitute Server Djeparov found its way through to Mirzayev and the midfielder coolly lifted the ball over exposed goalkeeper Ahmadi.
“It was such a difficult match. We conceded the first goal and with such a strong wind we failed to draw the game level. With the water on the pitch, it was difficult to move the ball,” said Sepahan Coach Igor Stimac.
“We did lose the match and for that I shall congratulate Lokomotiv. But I am convinced that we were the better side. They put out a defensive performance and this weather helped them to defend as much as possible.
“But us playing a fast game, moving the ball on the pitch and dribbling, it was difficult to implement what we had planned to do. We did expect slight rain showers, but not such harsh weather.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports