ACL MD3: Bunyodkor 1-1 Foolad Khouzestan [Video]

AFC – TASHKENT A stoppage time equaliser from Vokhid Shodiev salvaged a point for Bunyodkor as the Uzbekistan champions drew 1-1 with Iran’s Foolad Khouzestan in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday in Group B.

After a goalless first half, visitors Foolad took the lead in explosive fashion as Abdollah Karami opened the scoring with a spectacular solo effort on 73 minutes.

But with the game entering adding time it was Bunyodkor striker Shodiev who rose highest to nod home a last-gasp equaliser to earn his side a share of the points.

In an even opening half that was high in endeavor but lacked quality in the final third, it took until midway through the first period before either side could muster an opening.

And it was the visiting side’s captain, Bakhtiar Rahmani, who went close with a long range effort that went narrowly wide of Pavel Bugalo’s right-hand post.

With five minutes remaining of the half, Rahmani went even closer as his powerfully struck free-kick from 25-yards out was well saved by Bugalo, this time tipping the ball over as its seemed destined for the top left-hand corner of the goal.

Three minutes later the home side had their best chance of the opening spell as Bakhodir Pardaev forced his way past the Foolad backline and into the penalty area, but he could only steer his shot wide with only goalkeeper Sousha Makani to beat.

After the interval the game continued in a back-and-forth fashion although without any end product from either team.

The tense stalemate required a bit of magic to spark the encounter into life and on with 17 minutes remaining centerback Karami displayed some true wizardry.

Surging forward with the ball from the halfway line, the defender stepped inside the challenge of Serhiy Symonenko and into the penalty area before rocketing a shot past Bugalo into the top corner.
As Foolad looked to protect their lead, Bunyodkor poured forward in search of an equaliser and Oleksandr Pyschchur went close on 83 minutes as his low driven shot was pushed behind by the Foolad custodian diving to his right.

But as the game entered stoppage time, the home side restored parity as a penetrating left-wing cross from Pyschchur was met by a stretching Shodiev who powered his header into the right-hand side of the goal past a diving Makani.