AFC Challenge League
Abdysh-Ata finished level on six points with FC Arkadag and Al Arabi SC but lost out on goal difference with the Turkmenistan side emerging top and the Kuwaiti team progressing as the best runners-up from across the three West Zone groups.
Arkadag will face India's East Bengal in the quarter-finals while Al Arabi will take on Oman's Al Seeb Club.
Needing a big win, Abdysh-Ata controlled the match from the start with Farkhat Musabekov pulling his effort wide from inside the box, while Aaron Evans tried from distance but couldn’t get the ball on target.
The Kyrgyz Republic champions took the lead in the ninth minute after Musabekov’s cross from the left was turned into the back of the net by Kayrat Zhyrgalbek from close range, leaving Maziya keeper Nemanja Lemajic stunned.
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Lemajic, however, proved to be a thorn in Abdysh-Ata’s side when he produced a double save in the 26th minute to deny Kayrat Zhyrgalbek and later Argen Zhumataev on the follow-up.
Abdysh-Ata survived a scare at the half hour mark when Maziya’s Hamza Mohamed sent a delightful lob into the box for Ali Fasir, only for Aaron Evans to intervene in the nick of time to block the shot.
Lemajic produced another fine save in the 35th minute to deny Nurlanbek Sarykbaev’s attempt from a difficult angle, leaving Abdysh-Ata with much to do in the second half.
Abdysh-Ata piled on the pressure in the second half and came close to extending their lead just before the hour mark but Argen Zhumataev drilled his low effort right into the arms of Lemajic.
However, there was no denying Abdysh-Ata as they struck their second from the penalty spot with Atai Dzhumashev converting.
Emmanuel Yaghr scored the third goal after turning in Zhyrgalbek’s cross in the 80th minute but it was to no avail as Abdysh-Ata were eliminated.
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