Berdiev: Nasaf’s AFC Cup masterclass against ATK Mohun Bagan underlines Uzbekistan Super League’s strength

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Berdiev: Nasaf’s AFC Cup masterclass against ATK Mohun Bagan underlines Uzbekistan Super League’s strength

Karshi: FC Nasaf head coach Ruzikul Berdiev praised the quality of the Uzbekistan Super League after his side emphatically defeated ATK Mohun Bagan 6-0 win in Wednesday’s 2021 AFC Cup Inter-Zone Semi-final at Markaziy Stadium.

The first Indian side visit to Karshi in a decade, ATK Mohun Bagan never looked comfortable, with a Pritam Kokal own goal inside four minutes setting the scene for a loss described by boss Antonio Lopez Habas as the worst of his career.

Teenage striker Khusain Norchaev continued his fabulous AFC Cup form with a first-half hat-trick, but Nasaf had winners all over the pitch, with the visitors unable to deal with left-back Sherzod Nasrullaev and attacking midfielder Oybek Bozorov, who scored a goal of his own.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/video/inter-zone_sf_fc_nasaf_6-0_atk_mohun_bagan.html

2021 AFC Cup: The Stats Leaders

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Cup: The Stats Leaders

Kuala Lumpur: With just three ties remaining in the 2021 AFC Cup, the-AFC.com takes a closer look at the numbers that caught the eye following the conclusion of the first phase of knockout stage clashes.

From high-scoring forwards to those that create the goals and win the ball back, we shine the spotlight on the players whose statistics stood out as the continental competition nears its exciting climax.

Analysis: Echoes of 2011 as Nasaf storm into 2021 AFC Cup Inter-Zone final

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Analysis: Echoes of 2011 as Nasaf storm into 2021 AFC Cup Inter-Zone final

Karshi: A decade on from FC Nasaf's AFC Cup triumph and the Uzbek side look in the mood to repeat the feat after a resounding 6-0 victory over India's ATK Mohun Bagan in the Inter-Zone Semi-final on Wednesday saw them move within a game of the final. 

The result was in little doubt after Nasaf – spurred on by almost 6,000 fans at Markaziy Stadium – went two goals up inside 20 minutes, and it took Khusain Norchaev just over 30 minutes to complete his hat-trick as they went into the interval five goals up.

The result will come as a bitter disappointment to the ambitious ATK Mohun Bagan as India's long wait for a first AFC Cup title continues. After the dust has settled on a goal-laden night in Karshi, the-AFC.com looks at the key takeaways.

Kuwait SC's Al Jabal credits first-half performance for AFC Cup victory over Al Salt

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kuwait SC's Al Jabal credits first-half performance for AFC Cup victory over Al Salt

Kuwait City: A dominant first-half display was the key to Kuwait SC’s 2-0 victory over Jordan’s Al Salt in the 2021 AFC Cup West Zonal Semi-final on Tuesday, according to team coach Fathi Al Jabal.


Faisal Al Harbi put the Kuwaitis in the lead inside 12 minutes after receiving El Mahdi Berrahma’s fine pass inside the box and powering past the goalkeeper, and Congolese striker Dieumerci Mbokani headed home Abdulmohsen Al Turkomani’s cross into the back of the net in the 25th minute to seal the hosts’ victory.

Al Salt, playing in the knockout stage on their AFC Cup debut, took the game to their opponents after the restart as they chased an equaliser, but the three-time AFC Cup winners weathered the storm to emerge 2-0 winners and set up a West Zonal Final with 2008 champions Muharraq Club of Bahrain.