ACL MD2 - GROUP D: NASAF 2-1 AL AHLI

Nasaf started the first half strongly with captain Artur Gevorkyan striking the post early on, but they were unable to break the deadlock until forward Bobir Abdixolikov’s close-range header just after the interval brought the game’s first goal.

And the Uzbeks then doubled their advantage on the hour through defender Karimov before Muhannad Asiri pulled one back from the penalty spot with 20 minutes remaining. But despite a late Al Ahli onslaught Nasaf held out to claim their first points of the continental campaign.

"I congratulate the team and the fans after this victory as it shows we prepared very well for this opponent," said Nasaf coach Ruzikul Berdiev.  

"My team had some nervous moments during the game and will certainly need to practise even more as we had some problems with the final ball from midfield. I hope we can play even better in the next matches to come."

The hosts started on the front foot and Gevorkyan’s curling free-kick in the fourth minute beat goalkeeper Abdullah Al Maiouf only to rebound back off the left upright.

And five minutes later the Turkmenistan midfielder robbed defender Mohammmed Aman down the right before seeing his pacey cross evade the outstretched Abdixolikov by the narrowest of margins.

With Al Ahli rarely threatening Nasaf again could have gone in front two minutes from half-time when the lively Gevorkyan’s low centre from the right was met by Abdixolikov but his effort from eight yards flew over.

But two minutes after the restart Nasaf took a deserved lead when Aman miscontrolled in the left-back position allowing Shukhrat Mukhammadiev to take possession and cut into the penalty area before lofting a sublime chipped pass over Al Maiouf for Abdixolikov to nod home into the unguarded net from two yards.

And the home side then doubled their advantage in the 60th minute when Karimov was on hand to prod home from close range after Al Maiouf was unable to hold onto a Mukhammadiev shot from the right.

The Saudis pulled one back in the 71st minute, though, when Asiri confidently dispatched his penalty after Sherzod Azamov handled in the box.

Then as Al Ahli pushed for the equaliser Saleh Al Amari’s deep cross from the right was acrobatically volleyed just over by captain Kamil Al Mousa from a tight angle five minutes from time.

"It was a very tough game for both teams tonight. Nasaf is a good side. They played very well and restricted us to few chances," said Al Ahli coach Christian Gross.

"We began the match well and played well in the first half but struggled to create opportunities. Nasaf’s two early goals in the second half changed things and although we did create some good chances after that by changing our game plan it was too late."