Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Balkanabat: Two late strikes saw Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr complete an astonishing comeback to draw 2-2 with FC Istiklol of Tajikistan in Group D of the 2018 AFC Cup on Wednesday.
Istiklol broke the deadlock in the 50th minute at Sport Toplumy when Nikolai Zenko bundled past a couple of lacklustre challenges before prodding the ball beyond the onrushing Mamed Orazmuhamedov.
The game looked beyond Altyn Asyr as the visitors doubled their lead from the penalty spot nine minutes later, Akhtam Nazarov converting from 12 yards after Sergei Tikhonovski had been fouled by Shohrat Soyunov.
Murat Yakshiyev pulled one back for Altyn Asyr from the edge of area in the 90th minute though, before Altymyrat Annadurdyyev completed the remarkable recovery three minutes later with a header from a corner.
The draw leaves things wide open in the group after two match days, with Istiklol and Altyn Asyr tied on four points and FC Ahal on three, while FC Alay of Kyrgyz Republic are yet to get on the board.
Each team’s next game comes on April 11, when Altyn Asyr are away to fellow Turkmenistan outfit FC Ahal and Istiklol host FC Alay.