Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: Polish midfielder Adrian Mierzejewski was on target to secure a 1-0 victory for Saudi League champions Al Nassr against already eliminated Bunyodkor in Group A of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday and maintain their hopes of qualifying for the Round of 16 for only the second time.
The Saudi side went into the match at the Bunyodkor Stadium knowing that defeat could see them eliminated with one game still to play, but took the lead just after the half hour mark through Mierzejewski’s second goal of the group phase. But with pride to play for, the two-time semi-finalists Bunyodkor came out strongly after the interval in a bid to improve upon a disappointing campaign that had yielded just one point from four games prior to Wednesday’s encounter.
Despite dominating a second half in which the visitors’ keeper Abdullah Al Enezi was called into action on several occasions, the Uzbek side had defender Anvar Gafurov sent off with 20 minutes to play and Al Nassr held out for a priceless victory that ensures they go into their final match of the group campaign against Qatar Stars League champions Lekhwiya knowing that a win will guarantee their passage to the last 16.
Da Silva delighted with Al Nassr’s defensive mettle
The hosts had edged a largely uneventful opening 30 minutes but were restricted to shots from distance and failed to trouble Al Enezi in the Al Nassr goal.
But just as the game reached the half hour mark, the Uzbeks nearly went in front through a fine downward header from 12 yards by forward Timur Ayupov which was expertly tipped round the post by the Saudi custodian diving low to his right.
Three minutes later, though, the visitors took the lead following a fine team move. Ecuadorian forward Armando Wila played the ball to strike partner Hassan Al Raheb on the edge of the penalty area before he laid the ball back to Mierzejewski (pictured) who fired his low effort from 20 yards beyond keeper Akbar Turaev into the bottom left hand corner.
Bunyodkor came out on the ascendency after the interval and almost levelled things up on the 50-minute mark but Ayupov’s wonderful left-foot curler from 20 yards rebounded back off the crossbar.
The home side continued their dominance and midway through the second half substitute Sardor Rashidov curled an effort from distance which was well parried by Al Enezi. But then when Gafurov slid in during the ensuing scramble, he was adjudged to have fouled the Saudi custodian and was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Despite being a man down, the hosts continued to have the better of the play and Al Enezi was called into action once more with 10 minutes left on the clock when he tipped over a powerful half-volley from the lively Rashidov and Al Nassr were able to hold out for the win.
Photo: WSG