Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Tashkent: Tunisian striker Issam Jemaa scored a hat-trick as impressive AFC Cup winners Kuwait Sports Club moved a step closer to a place in the group stage of the AFC Champions League after recording a 3-1 win over Uzbek League runners-up Lokomotiv in Sunday’s delayed second round play-off tie at Pakhtakor Stadium.
Jemaa opened the scoring midway through the first half after Kuwait SC had survived strong early pressure from Lokomotiv, with last year’s AFC Cup top scorer adding a second before half-time.
And after substitute Ivan Nagaev gave Lokomotiv hope by reducing the deficit just after the hour mark, Jemaa completed his hat-trick with four minutes remaining as Kuwait SC confirmed their meeting with 2013 AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Lekhwiya from Qatar on Saturday for a place in the group stage of this year’s competition.
“It was a difficult game, although the pitch was very good. We played well and I have to thank my players,” said Kuwait SC coach Marin Ion.
“We wanted to play using counter-attacks and we did that. It is not easy for us to play in defence because we play only attacking football in Kuwait.”
With both teams having been forced to wait for just under 24 hours to begin the second round tie following heavy snow in Tashkent on Saturday, Lokomotiv were quickly out of the blocks as Jasur Khasanov first saw a shot blocked after eight minutes.
Lokomotiv’s Ukrainian striker V'yacheslav Shevchenko then saw his strike from Viktor Karpenko’s pass saved by Kuwait SC goalkeeper Musab Al Kandari before Lutfulla Turaev headed wide for the home side.
But having rode their luck during the early exchanges, Kuwait SC took the lead after 22 minutes as Tunisian midfielder Chadi Hammami took advantage of a mistake from Anvar Gafurov to cross for compatriot Jemaa to head home.
And eight minutes before half-time the visitors doubled their lead as Brazilian playmaker Rogerinho (Rogerio de Assis Silva Coutinho) fed Jemaa and the Tunisian striker, who scored 16 goals last year as Kuwait SC won the AFC Cup for a third time, again beat Lokomotiv goalkeeper Temur Ganiev.
But needing at least two goals to keep their hopes alive, Lokomotiv made an encouraging start to the second half as Islom Tukhtakujaev flashed an effort just wide of the post shortly after the restart.
Shevchenko was then denied by Al Kandari before Khasanov rattled the Kuwait SC post three minutes before the hour mark.
But nine minutes later Lokomotiv were finally able to reduce the deficit as Nagaev headed home from Khasanov’s cross.
And the home side continued to press for an equaliser in the closing stages, but with four minutes remaining, Jemaa completed his hat-trick to end Lokomotiv’s hopes.
“Our target was to qualify for the group stage, but we couldn`t do it. It is very difficult for us to play a high level of football in the winter as we haven’t begun our season,” said Lokomotiv coach Khakim Fuzaylov.
“New players are adapting to the team and they were unable to produce a good performance.”
Photo: WSG