AFC.com
Al Duhail SC brushed Pakhtakor FC aside with a clinical performance for a 3-0 victory in Group D of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Monday at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Having opened the campaign with a loss, the Doha-based side made it three wins on the trot and saw their points tally rise to nine to further strengthen their claim for a Round of 16 spot while Pakhtakor’s chances have dwindled.
In a largely tense affair from the beginning, it took 20 minutes for either side to threaten when Sardor Rashidov broke forward down the left flank and hesitated at the edge of the area before he took the decision to shoot, but his shot rattled the side netting.
The scoring was opened after 31 minutes of play had passed when Bassam Al Rawi - who had spent a few minutes on the ground nursing an injury a few minutes earlier - met Edmilson’s pinpoint corner with his head, smashing it past Eldorbek Suyonov to go a goal to the good.
The Tashkent-based side were incredibly unlucky in not getting the equaliser when Azizbek Turgunboev made a run down the right and whipped in a low cross that was met by Oliver Sarkic - who had opened the scoring four days ago - but he was unable to control his shot which narrowly missed the target.
On the stroke of half-time, Michael Olunga added his second of the tournament after making a dash from the halfway line all the way to the opposing goal and striking from distance, fighting off a fierce challenge on his way from Bulgarian centre-back Kamen Hadzhiev.
Captain Almoez Ali took his side three goals to the good two minutes after the break, thanks to some brilliant footwork from Edmilson in intercepting and carrying the ball forward before crossing it to the unmarked Qatari forward who smashed home to make it 3-0.
The Qatar Stars League side could have gotten a fourth late on when Ikromjon Alibaev took Luiz Junior down a few yards away from the 18 yard box. Mohamed Musa took the free-kick, getting it on target with a fierce shot that Suyonov just managed to get a hand on.
Mirjakhon Mirakhmadov got sent off towards the end of the game for a second bookable offense, after sliding onto a loose ball that was held by the largely untested keeper Salah Zakaria.
On Thursday, Al Duhail will face Al Taawoun FC in the late game straight after Pakhtakor play against Sepahan FC, in what will be the penultimate round of games in Group D.