"Neftchi" started its participation in the Asian Champions League with a victory
The champion of Uzbekistan defeated Iraq's "Al-Quvva Al-Javiya" club by a narrow margin in the 1st round.
"Neftchi" started its campaign in the Asian Champions League with a victory
The main stage matches of the AFC Champions League Elite have kicked off.
The champion of Uzbekistan, "Neftchi", hosted Iraq's "Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya" on their home turf.
The hosts seized the initiative in the match, but the opponent's goal was breached only once. The legionnaires played a key role in the winning goal. In the 83rd minute, when Ivorian Koffi Kouao crossed the ball into the penalty area from the left flank, Serbian Zoran Marusic delivered a precise header.
"Neftchi" will play its next match away on October 12 against Saudi Arabia's "Al-Nassr" club.
"Neftchi" (Uzbekistan) - "Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya" (Iraq) 1:0
Goal: Zoran Marusic (83)
Head referee: Adel Al-Naqbi (UAE)
"Neftchi": Botirali Ergashev, Bojan Ciger, Ikrom Alibaev, Abror Ismoilov (Bilolxon Toshmirzayev 46), Nurmuhammad Abdug'aniyev, Stipe Perica (Xurshid G'iyosov, 72), Alisher Odilov, Yan Sasse (Zoran Marusic, 56), Farruh Sayfiyev, Koffi Kouao, Francisco Jurani
"Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya": Mohammed Mejbel, Ruslan Al-Darraji, Muslim Al-Hamadani, Saad Ahmad, Mohanad Al-Jebur, Alharith Al-Said (Mujtaba Suwaidi, 63), Mohammed Al-Ghadhab (Haythem Jouini, 83), Abbas Hasan, Saad Abdul-Amir, Tuisila Kisinda (Mourad Soubiy, 63), Ali Saad Jabbar (Moses Orkuma, 72)
Cautions: Stipe Perica (59), Saad Ahmad (59), Muslim Al-Hamadani (63), Bilolxon Toshmirzayev (81)