Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Beijing: Fozil Musaev’s close-range strike secured Bunyodkor victory over Beijing Guoan at Workers’ Stadium on Wednesday as the Uzbek side moved clear at the top of Group G in the AFC Champions League.
Mirdjalal Kasimov’s side lead the group by two points from Pohang Steelers while Beijing are in third place a point further adrift as the battle for the two berths in the Round of 16 intensifies.
The defeat was Beijing’s first in the 2013 tournament but Aleksandar Stanojevic’s side will still be hopeful of advancing with games against Pohang and Sanfrecce Hiroshima remaining.
“My players played well and luckily we won,” said Kasimov. “I think now we may be at the top of the group. I think this win means a lot to us. I have to say thanks to my players and those Uzbekistan fans on the stands.
“My players did a very good job and didn't give our opponents too many real opportunities to score, except when (Freddy) Kanoute had a chance with a header.”
Musaev’s goal came 13 minutes before the end of a first half dominated by the Uzbek league runners-up, with Oleksandr Pyshur squandering an earlier chance when his downward header was too weak to seriously threaten Yang Zhi’s goal.
Freddy Kanoute had earlier fired off Beijing’s first serious effort at goal in the sixth minute, the former Sevilla man barely testing Ignatiy Nesterov with his attempt from the edge of the area.
With 32 minutes gone, Bunyodkor took the lead the tenacity of their performance deserved. Oleg Zoteev burst down the left before cutting the ball in towards Lutfulla Turaev. His shot was blocked by Yang but with the rebound falling at the feet of Musaev, the midfielder could make no mistake (pictured).
Musaev was just inches away in first-half stoppage time from doubling his side’s lead when Turaev’s free kick swung towards the far post but Musaev, unmarked, headed wide of the post.
Musaev was again at the heart of the action three minutes after the restart when his shot was just wide while Zoteev should have made Yang pay for a poor clearance, only to give the Beijing goalkeeper the opportunity to redeem himself.
As time ran out, Beijing grew increasingly desperate. Zhang Xizhe shot high over the bar when he had time and space to pick his spot in the 70th minute while Kanoute sent a header over the bar seven minutes later.
But the Chinese Super League side were unable to find a way past the Bunyodkor defence, who now sit clear at the top of the group with just two games remaining.
“Every game in this group is difficult,” said Stanojevic. “Our target is to win every time. In our next game, Joffre Guerron will be back to reinforce our attack while today Mao Jianqing was playing with an injury. We had difficulties in choosing players.
“We had more problems in the first half because in the midfield battle we had one player less than them. This was an issue for us for quite a while, and they had a better first half.
“In the second half we adjusted our tactics through our substitutions and managed to level off the situation. However, our finishing touch was not good enough. I think Bunyodkor deserves the three points from this match.”
Photo: WSG