Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Ashgabat: Ahal FC recorded their first-ever victory in the AFC Cup Group Stage as Gurban Annayev scored two goals including a last-minute winner to give the Turkmenistan Cup holders a 2-1 win over last year’s runners-up Arbil at Ashgabat Stadium on Wednesday.
Annayev (pictured left) saw his 27th minute opener cancelled out shortly afterwards by Luay Salah but the Iraqi side could find no response when the midfielder fired home the winner from close range in the closing minutes of the game.
The result saw Ahal join Arbil on three points in Group C, three points behind group leaders and defending champions Qadsia SC, who hosted Tajik champions FC Istiklol later on Wednesday.
“We are happy with the result,” said Ahal coach Boris Grigoryants. “I am satisfied how the team played and how the players gave their best on the pitch tonight. We began the game with some good attacks and won it with the two goals by Annayev.
“It’s always good to see your players try until the last minute. I hope this victory will give us more confidence and that we try to continue to give good performances in our next games.
“Arbil also created good chances and they played well. But my players gave a true battle on the pitch and we achieved big result tonight.”
The hosts began the game in lively fashion and Altymyrat Annadurdiyev had a shot blocked by Hardi Tahir early on.
Arbil tried to control proceedings but the Ahal defence stood their group and they took the lead in the 29th minute when Alibek Abdurahmanov centred the ball from the left into the Arbil box that eluded goalkeeper Sarhank Mohsin and fell to Annayev, who hammered the ball into the open net.
Arbil got back on level terms two minute later when they exchanged some neat passes in the box before the ball fell to Salah, who swept his shot home.
There were few chances in the second half but the home side would grab the three points at the death when Myrat Hamrayev’s long throw-in picked out Annayev who hammered the ball into the net from seven metres.
“We came here to win, but we couldnt do it,” said Arbil coach Ayob Odisho. “Our players tried to beat Ahal but our opponents scored first and although we equalised very quickly, we had some problems creating chances in the second half and we couldnt play with all possibilities.
“Our target is to qualify for the next stage and we will continue on our way. Ahal is a good team, they played at home and their fans helped them to play better. We had some problems in the squad but we will try to beat them in the next game.”
Photo: WSG