AFC Challenge League
Ibrahim Gbadamosi capitalised on a defensive error to score a 21st-minute winner at the Hisor Central Stadium as Nejmeh soaked up pressure from the Tajikistan outfit to start their campaign off on the right foot.
Istiklol, who won the title in 2012, dominated possession from the start and had their first clear opportunity in the 13th minute but midfielder Alisher Shukurov skied the ball over on the turn from the edge of the box.
Nejmeh turned the game on its head in the 21st minute when a misunderstanding between keeper Denis Kavlinov and defender Alijon Karomatullozoda outside the area gifted the ball to Gbadamosi, who calmly swept it into an empty net.
Nejmeh turned the game on its head in the 21st minute when a misunderstanding between keeper Denis Kavlinov and defender Alijon Karomatullozoda outside the area gifted the ball to Gbadamosi, who calmly swept it into an empty net.
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The Tajikistan outfit’s pressure at the opposing end saw Oleksii Shchebetun, Alisher Shukurov and Amirbek Juraboev waste the chances that came their way, with Shukurov missing the target consecutively as the half drew to a close.
Group B: Nejmeh SC (LBN) v FC Istiklol (TJK)
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Istiklol picked up where they left off after the restart, with Nejmeh’s Mostafa Matar making a fine save from Ehsoni Panjshanbe’s close-range effort two minutes in and again in the 57th minute, when he punched away Juraboev’s diving header off a free-kick.
Kevin Lasso saw his cheeky back-heel from outside the six-yard box denied by a quick-thinking Kavlinov as Nejmeh made their first foray upwards of the second half in the 61st minute.
Kevin Lasso saw his cheeky back-heel from outside the six-yard box denied by a quick-thinking Kavlinov as Nejmeh made their first foray upwards of the second half in the 61st minute.
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The hosts’ list of near-misses continued to pile up as Frane Ikic had his stinging drive denied by Matar in the 72nd minute and Juraboev ballooning his shot from outside the area moments later as the Lebanon outfit held on for the win.
Nejmeh will aim for a second victory when they meet Syria’s Homs Al Fidaa SC on Tuesday while Istiklol face Al Arabi SC of Kuwait on the same day.
Nejmeh will aim for a second victory when they meet Syria’s Homs Al Fidaa SC on Tuesday while Istiklol face Al Arabi SC of Kuwait on the same day.
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