Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Beirut: A second-half penalty from Kamil Saidov cancelled out an early own goal from team-mate Farrukh Choriev as Regar-TadAZ marked Tajikistan’s AFC Cup debut with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Lebanon’s Safa SC in Group A on Tuesday.
With less than two minutes on the clock at Sports City Stadium, Choriev’s mistimed clearance handed Safa the perfect start to their 2013 AFC Cup campaign having narrowly failed to advance past the group stage last year.
But Tajikistan Cup winners Regar remained in the contest despite the early set-back and were rewarded on the hour mark as Saidov converted from the penalty spot.
“The start of the match was not as good for us and we conceded a quick goal which changed everything for us, however, as the match continued the players got more confidence and their performance improved," said Regar coach Makhmadjon Khabibulloev.
“We asked the players not to play without pressure and we eventually managed to equalise in the second half.
"The first match is always hard and a point from an away game is always good to start the competition with."
With less than two minutes on the clock, Safa were handed the ideal start as Ahmad Al Omier’s cross was turned into his own net by Choriev as the defender attempted to clear the near post delivery.
Regar remained positive despite the early setback, but only a last-ditch goalline clearance from Dalerdzhon Tukhtasunov stopped Nigerian striker Uchenna Ngwu doubling the home side’s lead after 18 minutes.
Ngwu again went close two minutes before the break as his powerful downward header from Tarik El Amrati’s corner appeared to be bound for the bottom corner until Regar goalkeeper Farhot Yuldashev was at full stretch to keep his side within touching distance at the break.
Regar remained in the contest at the start of the second half and Saidov flashed a header wide of the Safa upright three minutes before the hour mark.
And the visitors drew level on the hour mark as Saidov sent Safa goalkeeper Ziad El Samad the wrong way from the penalty spot after Safarali Karimov had been upended just inside the area following a darting run forward by the defender.
Safa looked for an instant impact and almost found it as Yuldashev had to be on his toes to acrobatically push El Amrati’s free-kick over the crossbar before another dangerous set-piece from the midfielder was headed just wide by Mohamad Tahan.
Regar also continued to push forward in search of a second goal, although Yuldashev was again called into action with seven minutes remaining to save at the feet of Safa substitute Rony Azar to earn his side a point.
“The result of match is positive for our opponents as we should have sealed the game in the first half, but we missed several chances to score and therefore we paid for these chances in the second half," said Safa coach Akram Salman.
“This was the first match for us in the competition and we will try to have better results in the next matches.
"The responsibility is on all the team and hopefully we can have a better performance in the second match and take advantage of the chances that we will create.”
Photo: WSG