The key facts

  • Neftchi lost 1:2 to Al-Ittihad in round 3 of the AFC Champions League Elite, conceding in the final minute
  • Goals: Jamshid Iskanderov (17, penalty) — Oussama Aouar (34), Youssef En-Nesyri (90)
  • After the defeat, Neftchi sit 9th with 3 points; next match — 2 November against Tractor in Muscat

A last-minute goal cost Neftchi points

Fergana's Neftchi hosted Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad at the Istiklol stadium on 26 October in the third round of the AFC Champions League Elite league stage (West region) and lost 1:2, Kun.uz reports. The hosts started the game better: in the 17th minute Jamshid Iskanderov converted a penalty. In the 34th minute Oussama Aouar equalized, and in the final minute of the match Youssef En-Nesyri struck accurately from a free kick to give the visitors the win.

Line-ups and coaches

Neftchi, led by head coach Islombek Ismoilov, started with Botirali Ergashev, Michel Augusto, Bojan Sieger, Abror Ismoilov, Vladimir Jovicić, Jamshid Iskanderov, Alisher Odilov, Farrukh Sayfiev, Kouffi Kouao, Ratinho and Markus Forss. Substitutions: Anvar Gofurov (46), Jan Sasse (46), Ibrokhimkhalik Yuldashev (70), Khurshid Giyasov (80). Al-Ittihad, under the German specialist Jens Wissing, fielded Predrag Rajković, Danilo Luiz, Richard Ríos, Saad Al-Mousa, Oussama Aouar, Muhannad Al-Shanqiti, Georginio Wijnaldum, Fares Rifat, Dion Lopy, Steven Bergwijn and Georges Ilenikhena; coming on as substitutes were Mukhtar Ali (63), Youssef En-Nesyri (63), Ahmad Al-Ghamdi (73) and Marwan Al-Sahafi (73).

Standings and next match

As a result of this outcome, the Fergana club sits ninth in the standings with three points in the competition table. Neftchi's next match is away against Iran's Tractor on 2 November; the game will take place in Muscat, the capital of Oman.

Context

The last-minute defeat cost Neftchi at least one point at home against one of the favorites of the western region — with the score level, the team held the result until the 90th minute. For the club's tournament position, this means that ahead of the away match against Tractor it remains on three points after three rounds; how the places in the table are distributed further and what the chances of advancing from the group are, the sources do not specify.