AFC Champions League: Al-Sadd lose 1-0 to Nasaf

Al-Sadd fell to its first defeat in the 2018 AFC Champions League on Monday, after losing 1-0 to Uzbekistan’s Nasaf in the Group C – Matchday Three game played at the Qarshi Central Stadium.

Azizjon Ganiev scored the only goal of the game via a 62nd minute penalty. The result means that Al-Sadd remain joint top of the group standings with 6 points.

Nasaf had opportunities to score early on in the game, after starting on the front foot at home. They almost took the lead in the 14th minute after Jasur Khasanov whipped in a cross from the left which was only parried by Al-Sadd custodian Saad Al-Dosari to the feet of Bobir Abdixolikov. However, Al-Dosari recovered immediately to make a stunning save from close range to deny the striker.

Despite the hosts’ early dominance, Al-Sadd showed attacking fervour as the game progressed and Baghdad Bounedjah had a golden chance to score in the 34th minute, after a pass from Akram Afif, but the Algerian was denied by the Nasaf keeper who closed down the angle.

Right before halftime, Nasaf thought they had taken the lead but Abdixolikov’s effort was disallowed after he was deemed to be in an offside position.

In the second half, Al-Sadd attempted to make an impression and head coach Jesualdo Ferreira brought on Hassan Al-Haydos in place of Khoukhi Boualem. However, it was Nasaf who went on to break the deadlock.

After Salem Al-Hajri brought down Abdixolikov in the box in the 62nd minute, Nasaf were awarded a penalty which was converted by Ganiev to make it 1-0 to the home side.

Thereafter, Ferreira sent on Ali Asad and Hassan Ahmed to try and change the game. Both substitutes had great chances late on. First, Asad did well to dribble into the box but his cross was deflected. Then, in the last action of the game, Ahmed had a golden opportunity from close range after controlling Al-Haydos’ pass but his shot went wide, denying Al-Sadd a late equaliser.

MATCH DETAILS

Al-Sadd x Nasaf (AFC Champions League Group C – Matchday Three)

Venue:

Qarshi Central Stadium

Lineups:

Al-Sadd: Saad Al-Dosari, Pedro Miguel, Ahmed Suhail, Abdelkarim Hassan, Hamid Ismail, Salem Al-Hajri, Khoukhi Boualem (Hassan Al-Haydos), Yasir Abubakar (Ali Asad), Jugurtha Hamroun (Hassan Ahmed), Baghdad Bounedjah, Akram Afif

Nasaf: Sanjar Kuvvatov, Saydullo Rakhmatov, Umar Eshmuradov, Igor Golban, Saydullo Rakhmatov, Slavko Lukic, Odiljon Khamrobekov, Azizjon Ganiev, Islom Rashidkhanov (Jahongir Aliev), Islom Kenjabaev (Maksud Karimov), Jasur Khasanov (Sharof Mukhitdinov), Bobir Abdixolikov

Result:

Nasaf won 1-0

Goals:

Azizjon Ganiev (PEN) 62′

Bookings:

Ahmed Suhail 18′

Saydullo Rakhmatov 21′

Salem Al-Hajri 61′

Referees:

Jumpei Iida (Main referee)

Shinji Ochi (Linesman)

Satoshi Karakami (Linesman)

Alibek Sapayev (Fourth official)