AFC Champions League Elite - Joy for Nasaf’s Berdiev; disappointment for Sharjah’s Morais

Sharjah: There was - finally - delight for Ruzikul Berdiev in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after his PFC Nasaf side concluded their campaign with a 2-1 win against Sharjah FC on Monday.

After a difficult season which had seen the Uzbekistan side lose six of their seven previous matches, Berdiev was happy to see his players close out their continental journey on a positive note.

#ACLElite | Sharjah FC (UAE) 1-2 PFC Nasaf (UZB)

“We played very well in the first half and managed to score from the many chances we created,” said Berdiev.

“In the second half, Sharjah played very well but we still were able to score. I want to give thanks to the players for the effort they put in.”

There was a completely different mood in the Sharjah camp after the defeat, which left them staring at elimination, with head coach Jose Morais lamenting the late winner Nasaf’s Diyorbek Abdunazarov scored - which came just minutes after Caio Lucas had cancelled out Khaled Ebraheim’s first half own goal.

“Accepting defeats like this sometimes is difficult but it’s also a consequence of how we started the game - which was too slow,” said Morais. “We had problems controlling transitions and that allowed Nasaf to create a lot of chances.

“We improved in the second half and got the equaliser but when we needed to show maturity, we didn’t defend well for the second goal and after that, with the way Nasaf defended, it was difficult for us to come back again.”

Joy for Nasaf’s Berdiev; disappointment for Sharjah’s Morais

Inzaghi happy as Al Hilal show strength in depth

Al Shorta’s Sambou delighted; Al Duhail’s Belmadi frustrated

Al Ahli’s Jaissle relieved; Shabab’s Sousa rues errors

Preview: Shanghai Port FC (CHN) v Ulsan HD FC (KOR)

Preview: Melbourne City FC (AUS) v Gangwon FC (KOR)