Piroozi’s ‘terrible ten minutes’ in Tehran

AFC – TEHRAN, Piroozi boss Ali Daei admitted a bad 10-minute spell cost his side dearly as their 2011 AFC Champions League hopes suffered a setback with a 3-1 defeat to Bunyodkor at the Azadi Stadium.

Following a goalless first-half, Bunyodkor took the lead on the hour in the Group C game when Anvar Rajabov crashed home an effort from the edge of the box. Nine minutes later, the forward was brought down in the area by Alireza Mohamed when clear on goal and the defender was sent-off.

Hayrulla Karimov converted the penalty and although Shpejtim Arifi pulled a goal back four minutes from the end thanks to a defensive mix-up, Victor Karpenko wrapped up the points in stoppage time.

“Although Piroozi had more chances to score it was an equal performance from both teams in the first-half,” said Daei.

“We also came out strong in the second period but conceded the first goal at a bad time. Alireza Mohammad’s dismissal worsened the situation for us as we had to play with one man less against a team two goals ahead.

“We tried hard to find a route back into the game and succeeded in scoring a goal. We kept on fighting and we missed chances in injury time, which led to the third goal for Bunyodkor. We weren’t that good generally today.

“Bunyodkor didn’t play well in the first-half and what they did was only a corner kick. In the second-half also, it was us who gave the ball to them with our mistakes. However this is called football. We weren’t good today so we lost.”

Bunyodkor now move on to five points while Piroozi remain on two but Daei refuses to give up hope of reaching the knockout stage.

“We will keep on working as we have worked hard until now.”

For Bunyodkor boss Mirjalal Kasimov, the victory came as somewhat of a surprise.

“We made some changes in the second-half that helped us to win the game but the result is considered as a strange one today. Our win wasn’t predictable at all,” he admitted.

“I have to say that it was difficult to play against Piroozi as always. We played 4-5-1 in the first-half but with some changes in the second-half, we played better and won.

“In football, sometimes we have odd and unpredictable results like today. Football is played from the kick-off to the final whistle. I agree that Piroozi had some good chances at times during the match but I am so happy and satisfied that we beat them in Tehran.”