AFC Champions League Elite
Karim Benzema’s second half effort took the Saudi Arabian side to nine points and at the same time, ended the Round of 16 hopes of their visitors from Uzbekistan.
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Nasaf went into the game still searching for the first point of their campaign and had Abduvakhid Nematov to thank for stopping Al Ittihad from taking an eighth minute lead after the goalkeeper produced the slightest of touches to tip Ahmed Al Ghamdi’s attempt onto the post.
Despite having the majority of the ball, Al Ittihad grew increasingly frustrated in being unable to find the breakthrough with Nasaf then having attempts from Sadorbek Bakhromov and Oybek Bozorov which kept Pedrag Rajkovic on alert.
The woodwork denied the home side again four minutes before the break after Nematov palmed away Moussa Diaby’s cross with Benzema’s follow-up striking the upright.
The woodwork denied the home side again four minutes before the break after Nematov palmed away Moussa Diaby’s cross with Benzema’s follow-up striking the upright.
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Sergio Conceicao tweaked his Al Ittihad side for the second half by pushing Fabinho into midfield and sending on Roger Fernandes on the left flank with the changes reaping rewards in the 57th minute.
Fernandes whipped in a cross from the left that found Benzema at the back post and the French forward made no mistake with his volley to send the home crowd into raptures.
Fernandes whipped in a cross from the left that found Benzema at the back post and the French forward made no mistake with his volley to send the home crowd into raptures.
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Against the run of play, Nasaf almost found themselves the equaliser in the 77th minute when they broke on the counter and Adenis Shala was through on goal, only to see his attempted chip blocked by Rajkovic.
The frame of the goal proved to be a bane for Al Ittihad as they hit the woodwork for the third time in the match minutes later when Benzema’s header was tipped onto the bar by Nematov.
An injury to substitute Faisal Al Ghamdi five minutes after coming on saw Al Ittihad play the remainder of the match with only 10 men but it made no difference as the home side saw out the win.
The frame of the goal proved to be a bane for Al Ittihad as they hit the woodwork for the third time in the match minutes later when Benzema’s header was tipped onto the bar by Nematov.
An injury to substitute Faisal Al Ghamdi five minutes after coming on saw Al Ittihad play the remainder of the match with only 10 men but it made no difference as the home side saw out the win.
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