Shabab Al Ahli down AGMK to keep ACL hopes alive; Istiqlol win
RIYADH: Shabab Al Ahli defeated Uzbekistan’s AGMK FC 3-1 at the King Fahd International Stadium on Saturday in Group A of the AFC Champions League (ACL) to revive their chances of advancing to the round of 16.
Harib Abdalla handed Shabab Al Ahli the lead ater three minutes only and Carlos Eduardo made it 2-0 in the 11th minute. Shohruh Gadoev narrowed the deficit only three minutes later before Shabab Al Ahli regained their two-goal lead on the half-hour mark thanks to Ahmed Al Atas’ strike.
Shabab Al Ahli continued to dominate possession but AGMK had their fair share of atempts with Sanjar Tursunov coming closest in the 35th minute with his shot from long range just whizzing past the post as Mahdi Ali’s Shabab Al Ahli took a healthy advantage into the break.
Shabab Al Ahli could have extended their lead further two minutes into the second half but Al Hasmi just failed to connect to Masharipov’s cross.
Having come from behind to defeat Shabab Al Ahli on Matchday Three, AGMK refused to throw in the towel as they pressed forward but failed to convert their chances, with Jovan Djokic’s 58th minute strike parried away by ‘ keeper Majed Naser, before Aleksandr Kasyan failed to keep his header on target two minutes later.
But it was not to be for the Uzbek side as Shabab Al Ahli held on to secure the points with Tuesday’s Matchday Five now tantasilingly poised with Shabab Al Ahli to face Istiklol while AGMK will take on 2019 winners Al Hilal.
ISTIQLOL STUN AL HILAL: Saudi giants Al Hilal crashed to a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Istiqlol, a result that boosted the Tajik side’s chances of qualifying for the knockout stage.
Three-times continental champs Al Hilal had beaten Istiqlol 3-1 on Wednesday but were in for a massive shock in the return.
Russian-born midfielder Manuchekhr Dzhalilov and Manuchehr Safarov each grabbed a brace at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Stadium in Jeddah.
Al Hilal, who last won the tournament in 2019 but were kicked out last year following a spate of coronavirus infections in the squad that let them without enough players, showed early intent on Saturday.
They opened their account through a header from French striker Bafetimbi Gomis in the 34th minute.
But that was the only bright moment for the Saudi side as Dzhalilov struck twice in the span of six minutes to give Istiqlol a 2-1 lead at half-time.
When play resumed, Istiqlol continued to build pressure and it paid off with Safarov taking charge this time.
The 19-year-old defender made it 3-1 in the 49th minute with his intended cross from the right dropping into the goal stunning goalkeeper Abdulla Al Maiouf.
Safarov completed his double four minutes later with a powerful low shot ater receiving a pass from Rustom Soirov to leave the Saudis, who were hugely favoured to top Group A, stunned.