AFC Cup
After a goalless first half at Central Coast Stadium, Miguel Di Pizio found the breakthrough for the hosts in the 78th minute before a goal from Mikael Doka and a second from Di Pizio sealed their 4-1 aggregate win and booked the title clash with Lebanon’s Al Ahed FC on May 5.
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
Abdysh-Ata dominated the first leg in Bishkek despite needing a late goal from Magamed Uzdenov to earn a 1-1 draw, but Central Coast were more comfortable in possession in front of their own supporters and used Alou Kuol’s pace to find an opening early on.
The Kyrgyz side, however, grew into the game and created the first real chance just past the half-hour mark when Atai Dzhumashev cut in from the left and a planted a low drive from the edge of the box to test goalkeeper Daniel Vukovic who was up to the task.
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
The hosts’ only shot before the interval came from Mikael Doka who tried his luck from distance in added time but saw his effort comfortably collected by Abdysh-Ata custodian Marsel Islamkulov.
Mark Jackson’s players returned to the pitch with renewed intent and a weak header from Aizar Akmatov back to his goalkeeper in the 58th minute presented Kuol with a chance only for the Central Coast attacker to come together with an onrushing Islamkulov outside the box.
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
Islamkulov had to make a double save to keep the score level three minutes later as the 30-year-old first kept out Max Balard’s shot from distance before reacting quickly to deny Doka on the follow-up.
The breakthrough for the home side came in the 78th minute when Doka played through substitute Di Pizio whose first attempt was stopped by Islamkulov only for the rebound to fall kindly for him to finish into an open goal and make it 1-0.
Doka then got one for himself in the 86th minute when he was found inside the box by Joshua Nisbet and saw his shot take a deflection off Akmatov and beat the Abdysh-Ata goalkeeper.
Di Pizio added a third in the 91st minute after a mistake at the back from the Kyrgyz side as Central Coast sealed the 3-0 win to advance to the AFC Cup final on their debut appearance in the competition.
Related News
Item 1 of 5