Tribune News Network
Doha
FC Ravshan stunned Qatar’s Al Wakrah 2-0 to end their AFC Champions League Two Group A campaign with a solitary win on Wednesday. The Tajikistan side bowed out of the tournament after finishing third in the standings with Al Wakrah – on four points – having already confirmed their knockout stage spot ahead of the match.
Al Wakrah got in the groove quickly with Moayed Hassan’s long range attempt having to be parried away by Ravshan keeper Yevhen Hrytsenko. The Qatar side tested Ravshan again in the 15th minute after Alexander Scholz sent a deep lob to Moayed Hassan, whose volleyed attempt from inside the area was denied by Hrytsenko.
Ravshan’s efforts barely troubled the home side with Sorbon Ghiyosov, Muhammadjon Rahimov and Masrur Kiyomidinov all failing to find the target from distance.
Both teams toiled in front of goal with Al Wakrah’s Omar Al Osad seeing his shot from above the box blocked, while Mawutor failed to test the Iraqi side following a counter-attacking sequence as Ravshan failed to get a single shot on target in the first half. Al Wakrah came close to taking the lead in the 50th minute after Farid Boulaya sent a cross into the box for Nasser al-Yazidi, whose headed attempt from close range was foiled by Hrytsenko.
The Tajikistan side, yet to register a point, took the lead five minutes later as Sorbon Ghiyosov broke free down the right flank with a surging run before setting up Azizbek Khaitov to strike past keeper Omair Al Sayed.
The visitors came close to doubling their advantage in the 61st minute after Masrur Kiyomidinov set up an unmarked Mawutor, only for the midfielder to strike the crossbar.
Ravshan exploited Al Wakrah’s weaker right flank with Matic dispossessing Farid Boulaya before striding down and laying the ball for Amirdzhon Safarov to strike home in the 81st minute.
