Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kuwait City: Kuwait’s Al Qadsia joined Syria’s Al Shorta and Jordan’s Al Ramtha in a three-way tie at the top of Group D after Bader Al Mutwa scored twice to secure a dominant 3-0 win over Tajikistan’s Ravshan in the AFC Cup on Wednesday.
Al Mutwa opened the scoring midway through the first half at Mohammed Al Hamad Stadium before an own goal from Ravshan captain Odil Irgashev doubled the home side’s lead just after the hour mark.
And with Al Mutwa adding a second with two minutes remaining, Al Qadsia wrapped up a second consecutive win of the campaign after Al Ramtha earlier edged out Al Shorta by a single goal to leave the trio level on six points with three games remaining.
“We started the game with good concentration and great motivation and this was the reason behind the good performance that we showed tonight,” Al Qadsia coach Mohammad Ebrahim.
“The players knew how important it was to win the match and they gave their best tonight.
“We showed good attacking plans tonight as we played on the flanks and we also tried to go from the centre of the Ravshan defence. We created many chances and the players converted these chances into three good goals which helped us to win.”
AFC Cup debutants Ravshan, meanwhile, remained rooted to the foot of the table after suffering a third consecutive defeat.
Al Qadsia eventually opened the scoring after 26 minutes as Al Mutwa’s first time volley from Saleh Al Sheikh’s cross gave Ravshan goalkeeper Rustam Rizoev no chance.
“We tried our best to control the midfield and stop the danger of Al Qadsia,” said Ravshan coach Garatali Mirahmadov. “We were successful until the middle of the first half when we conceded the opening goal and this forced us to give more space to Al Qadsia.
“The second goal, which was an own goal, changed the game as it helped Al Qadsia to control the game more while our players were frustrated and we couldn't get back into the game in the remaining minutes.”