Bikmaev comes full circle after goal-scoring return

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bikmaev comes full circle after goal-scoring return

Tashkent: Marat Bikmaev marked his return to Uzbek club Pakhtakor, having left the club in 2004, with the winning goal in their 2-1 win over Iraq's Air Force Club in the 2019 AFC Champions League Preliminary Stage 2 on Tuesday. 

In an exciting contest between the runners-up from the Uzbekistan league and the 2018 AFC Cup winners, 15,000 fans saw three spectacular goals shared between the two sides.

Jaloliddin Masharipov opened the scoring on 76 minutes with a wonderful overhead effort, before Bikmaev - playing for Pakhtakor for the first time in 15 years - curled in a stunning long-range set-piece.

Not to be outdone, 2018 AFC Cup MVP Hammadi Ahmed executed his own acrobatic bicycle kick with three minutes remaining to ensure a thrilling climax.

Preliminary Stage 2: Pakhtakor 2-1 Air Force Club

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preliminary Stage 2: Pakhtakor 2-1 Air Force Club

Tashkent: Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor Tashkent defeated Iraq’s Air Force Club 2-1 in a 2019 AFC Champions League Preliminary Stage 2 tie at the Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium on Tuesday.

The win secures Pakhtakor’s passage into the play-offs where they will face United Arab Emirates’ Al-Nasr Sports Club on February 19.

Preliminary Stage 2: Saipa 4-0 Minerva Punjab

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preliminary Stage 2: Saipa 4-0 Minerva Punjab

Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran’s Saipa secured their place in the 2019 AFC Champions League play-offs after beating Minerva Punjab of India 4-0 on Tuesday.

Arash Rezavand opened the scoring for Saipa through a penalty in the eighth minute before Arman Ramezani doubled their tally in the 24th minute. The Central Asians sealed the win with two more goals in the final 20 minutes of the match.

Next Tuesday, Saipa will travel to Doha, Qatar to play Al Rayyan in the play-offs.

Preliminary Stage 2: AGMK FC 4-2 FC Istiklol

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preliminary Stage 2: AGMK FC 4-2 FC Istiklol

Almalyk: Uzbekistan’s AGMK FC twice came back from a goal down to power to a 4-2 win over FC Istiklol of Tajikistan in a 2019 AFC Champions League Preliminary Stage 2 tie at the AGMK Stadium on Tuesday.

Muhammadjon Rahimov gave Istiklol a second minute lead but Dilshod Juraev’s header ensured AGMK entered the half-time break level.

Istiklol went ahead once again in the 62nd minute, only for AGMK to turn on the power with three goals in 10 minutes, courtesy of Sanat Shikhov, Jasurbek Khakimov and Zafar Polvonov.

AGMK will now meet Saudi Arabian giants Al Nassr in the playoffs on February 19.

Preliminary Stage 2: Zobahan FC 1-0 Kuwait SC (AET)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preliminary Stage 2: Zobahan FC 1-0 Kuwait SC (AET)

Fooladshahr: Zobahan FC claimed a place in the 2019 AFC Champions League playoffs after defeating Kuwait SC 1-0 after extra-time in their Preliminary Stage 2 tie at the Foolad Shahr Stadium on Tuesday.

Osaguona Christian struck in the 110th of extra-time to take Zobahan into next week's playoffs, where they will face Al Gharafa of Qatar.

Preliminary Stage 2: Newcastle Jets 3-1 Persija Jakarta (AET)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preliminary Stage 2: Newcastle Jets 3-1 Persija Jakarta (AET)

Newcastle: Captain Nigel Boogaard and substitute Matthew Ridenton's extra time strikes secured Australia's Newcastle Jets a 3-1 win over Persija Jakarta of Indonesia in a 2019 AFC Champions League Preliminary Stage 2 tie at the Newcastle Stadium on Tuesday. 

Newcastle took the lead four minutes into the second half through Ronald Vargas but Persija bounced back through Ramdani Lestaluhu's header only for Boogaard and Ridenton to seal the win in extra time to earn a playoff stage match against reigning champions Kashima Antlers in Japan on February 19.

Boogaard relishing Kashima clash

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Boogaard relishing Kashima clash

Newcastle: Nigel Boogaard has admitted that Newcastle Jets are relishing the prospect of facing AFC Champions League holders Kashima Antlers after he scored in extra time to help the Australian side defeat Indonesia’s Persija Jakarta 3-1 on Tuesday and book a play-off date with the Japanese side.

The teams began the one-legged Preliminary Stage 2 match-up at Newcastle Stadium just two games away from the AFC Champions League group stage and it was the hosts who opened the scoring through Ronald Vargas shortly after the interval, but Rizky Lestaluhu equalised to take the game to extra time.

Captain Boogaard then struck the decisive blow in the 101st minute before substitute Matthew Ridenton headed home with a minute to play as Newcastle finally saw off Persija’s brave resistance to secure a play-off with holders Kashima in Japan next Tuesday.