Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: Goalkeeper Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri produced a string of second half saves as Iran's Zobahan played out a goalless draw with Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor in Group B of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.
The hosts had the better of the first half at Bunyodkor Stadium, but forwards Victor Karpenko and Bakhodir Nasimov were off target when presented with goalscoring opportunities.
Substitute Eldor Shomurodov then had four chances to win it for Bunyodkor in the second half, but was denied by goalkeeper Mazaheri on three occasions and off target with another as the sides shared the spoils.
“We knew that the match would be difficult and both teams played a tough game. We played disciplined in defence and reached a draw. The players gave all they had and I am happy with it,” said Zobahan coach Yahya Golmuhammadi.
“Our goalkeeper played very well and saved us several times. We earned a point in an away game and this is a positive result for us. We will play better at home and we will try to get to the next stage.
“We played clear in the first half, but the Bunyodkor coach added three attacking players in the second half and this is why we did not attack.”
Bunyodkor had the first chance on eight minutes, but Karpenko’s looping header was comfortably gathered by Mazaheri before midfielder Dilshod Akhmadaliev fired high and wide from 30 yards midway through the half.
Karpenko then should have done better on 35 minutes, but he slashed his effort wide at the back post after Akramjon Komilov’s cross from the left had gone just behind Chaker Zouaghi on the edge of the six yard area.
Zobahan captain Mahdi Rajabzadeh then broke down the left before his low cross was palmed out by goalkeeper Murotjon Zukhurov and Kaveh Rezaei’s follow-up shot was blocked by the scrambling Bunyodkor defence.
But two minutes before the interval the home side came closest to opening the scoring when the ball broke to Nasimov, but the frontman toe-poked narrowly wide after turning superbly on the edge of the area.
Mazaheri then pulled off an excellent double save to deny Shomurodov shortly after the restart before again saving from the striker when he headed straight at him from six yards.
The visitors had their best chance of the game on 55 minutes when Rezaei was off target from 15 yards with only Zukhurov to beat after a mistake by midfielder Otabek Shukurov.
But Shomurodov then had yet another chance to open the scoring 15 minutes from time only to curl wide from just inside the penalty area.
“The match was how we expected as Zobahan played defensive football. I cannot argue about the effort of my players, we could just not score a goal,” said Bunyodkor coach Sergey Lushchan.
“My team wanted to win and they forgot about defence sometimes which is not good as we should always concentrate.
“The Zobahan goalkeeper played well and he saved a few good chances.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports