ACL MD3 – Group C: Pakhtakor 1-0 Tractorsazi Tabriz [VIDEO]

AFC – TASHKENT, A stunning goal from forward Igor Sergeev gave Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor a 1-0 win over Tractorsazi Tabriz of Iran in Group C of the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

After an even first half at Pakhtakor Stadium, the home side opened the scoring shortly before the interval through Sergeev’s beautifully struck strike from just outside the penalty area.

And although the visitors dominated the second half, Tractorsazi could not find a way past a stubborn Pakhtakor backline as the home side claimed the victory to move within two points of their opponents.

“It was very difficult match. My team played until the last minute and we won an important game. I say thanks to the fans, they supported us very well. We will continue to battle in the tournament,” said Pakhtakor coach Numon Khasanov.

“Tractorsazi is good at the physical side. The season is continuing in Iran and they have good game experience, while we just started our season. We played defensive football in the second half and did not give a chance to our opponent.

“We were not ready to play 90 minutes of attacking football. This is why we gave attention to defence in the second half. I hope we will be in a good situation in the match in Iran.”

Tractorsazi almost went in front within three minutes when Soroush Rafiei played in Saeid Aghaei, who neatly cut back onto his right foot before dragging the ball wide from 12 yards.

And the hosts had to wait until the 26th minute for their first chance of note but Javokhir Sokhibov shot wide from inside the right side of the penalty area after receiving the ball from Sherzodbek Karimov.

Azimjon Akhmedov then drilled wide from the other side of the area just after the half hour mark after latching onto Sergeev’s cushioned header.

And Pakhtakor did take the lead four minutes from half-time when Sergeev controlled Akbarjon Ismatullaev’s long ball before turning on the edge of the area and firing an unstoppable left foot effort beyond goalkeeper Mohammadreza Akhbari.

The visitors came out strongly after the restart and Shojae Khalilzadeh’s mishit effort just after the hour from Mohammad Iranpourian’s cross looped up in the air and forced Pakhtakor goalkeeper Nikita Ribkin into a save.

Substitute Mehdi Sharifi then raced onto to a long ball over the top, but his heavy touch at the crucial moment allowed Ribkin to thwart him as he closed in on goal.

And as one-way traffic ensued, Sharifi headed narrowly wide from Rafiei’s cross from the left 20 minutes from time as Pakhtakor held out for the win.

“I congratulate Pakhtakor for this victory. We dominated in the game, but couldn`t use our moments. We created a lot of chances, especially in the second half,” said Tractorsazi coach Amir Ghalenoei.

“We tried to play closer to the Pakhtakor goal, unfortunately we could not score a goal. We were better on the field, but my team were not lucky tonight. The players were tired also, because we have played very tough and difficult games.

“We are in the first position and there will be two home games for us in future. I hope we have good chance to qualify to the next stage still.”

Photo: Lagardère Sports