"Neftchi" and "Pakhtakor" players included in the symbolic team of the Elite ACL 1st round (photo)

"Neftchi" and "Pakhtakor" players included in the Elite ACL Round 1 team of the week (photo)

Following the results of the opening round of the AFC Champions League Elite, Tashkent's "Pakhtakor" goalkeeper Vladimir Nazarov and Fergana's "Neftchi" defender Koffi Kouao were included in the team of the week for Round 1 of the tournament.

In Round 1, "Pakhtakor" played away against Saudi Arabia's "Al-Ahli" and secured a 1:1 draw. Nazarov, who made 4 reliable saves in this match, contributed significantly to the Tashkent side returning from the away game with a valuable 1 point.

Meanwhile, "Neftchi", hosting Iraq's "Air Force" club, won with a score of 1:0. While Zoran Marusic authored the only goal of the match for the Fergana side, the team's Ivorian defender Koffi Kouao provided the assist for his goal, and it was precisely due to these active efforts that he earned a place in the team of the week.

AFC Champions League Elite Round 1 Team of the Week:

Goalkeeper: Vladimir Nazarov ("Pakhtakor").

Defenders: Lee Myung-jae ("Daejeon"), Jang Hyun-soo ("Al-Gharafa"), Ramy Rabia ("Al-Ain"), Koffi Kouao ("Neftchi").

Midfielders: Rúben Neves ("Al-Hilal"), Takashi Usami ("Gamba Osaka"), Prince Ampem ("Shanghai Port"), Hussein Rahimi ("Al-Ain").

Forwards: Nguene ("Ratchaburi"), Aleksandar Cavric ("Kashima Antlers").

In the 2nd round of the AFC Champions League Elite, "Pakhtakor" will take the field against Saudi Arabia's "Al-Qadsiah". "Neftchi" will play against another representative of Saudi Arabia — "Al-Nassr" club in the 2nd round. These matches are scheduled for October 12.