Draw disappoints Bunyodkor boss

AFC – TASHKENT, Bunyodkor boss Mirdjalal Kasimov was left a frustrated figure as he sat watching his side play out an goalless AFC Champions League draw with Piroozi at JAR Stadium.

In a game devoid of any clear-cut chances, the best fell to Bunyodkor’s Kamoliddin Murzoev after seven minutes but the forward was unable to capitalise.

It was a result that did little to help the cause of either side, though the Uzbeks will in all likelihood feel the more aggrieved of the two having also had a goal disallowed in the second half.

Kasimov said: “Piroozi defended deep and attacked on the counter. We planned to use the wings but our plan didn’t work.

“We hoped to change the game with substitutes but they also failed to improve our performance.

“I sent on striker Anvar Soliev to replace defender Anvar Gafurov because I was going for for the win.”

The result leaves both sides with two points from three games and desperate for a win from the return fixture in Tehran in two weeks’ time to maintain their hopes of progressing to the last 16 from Group C.

“We still have a chance of qualifying and we will fight,” said Kasimov.

Murzoev missed the best chance of the game early on when he slashed the ball high and wide from close range after it was presented to him by the visiting defence.

Substitute Yannis Mandzukas then found the net with a header after the break but it was disallowed presumably for offside.

They were rare moments of excitement in a match largely devoid of quality but Piroozi boss Ali Daei nevertheless enjoyed what he saw.

“Both teams played well,” he said. “We learned a lot about our opponents in advance and we prepared our tactics based on this knowledge.

“We tried not to let Bunyodkor players too close to our goal and we managed to reach our aim.”

“We played well on counter-attack. We could have scored a goal and won match.

“I’m happy with a draw which can be a good motivation for us since we have three more matches and two of them will be at home.”

Daei sent out a side made up entirely of Iranian players and he felt they provided a good advertisement for football in the country.

“Today we played with Iranian players only and this is a proof of the strength of Iranian football,” he said.

“There are two more weeks before our match in Tehran and I can’t say anything about upcoming match. But I can say that I want to win it.”