AFC Challenge League
The draw saw both teams amassing five points with the Kyrgyz Republic side finishing top with a superior goal difference. Lebanon's Al Ansar FC - who advanced as the best runners-up across the three West groups - will be their opponents in the quarter-finals.
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
Al Arabi exerted control from the opening whistle with Yousef Majed’s solo run forcing a save from Orest Kostyk in the first minute before Hamad Alharbi’s header from a corner glanced off the top of the crossbar.
Making their dominance count, Al Arabi took the lead in the 21st minute through a spectacular Anayo Iwuala strike from range, with the midfielder shifting away from his marker to fire from an acute angle outside of the the box with the ball bouncing away from Kostyk and landing in the back of the net.
Making their dominance count, Al Arabi took the lead in the 21st minute through a spectacular Anayo Iwuala strike from range, with the midfielder shifting away from his marker to fire from an acute angle outside of the the box with the ball bouncing away from Kostyk and landing in the back of the net.
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
Muras created little in the first half but did have a great chance to equalise in the 40th minute when a clearance fell kindly for Andriy Batsula in the box with the left footer’s volley forcing Sulaiman Abdulghafoor to make a finger tip save at full stretch to keep Al Arabi’s lead intact.
The introduction of Emir-Khan Kydyrshaev and Atai Dzhumashev to the Muras forward line brought about a renewed attacking verve to the Kyrgyz side.
The introduction of Emir-Khan Kydyrshaev and Atai Dzhumashev to the Muras forward line brought about a renewed attacking verve to the Kyrgyz side.
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
Muras’ forceful display saw them draw level in the 55th minute, Nursultan Toktonaliev sending Chabel Gomez through on goal to slide home past Abdulghafoor to send the crowd at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium into raptures.
Gomez could have gotten a second goal five minutes later but his venomous strike from distance beat Abdulghafoor but not the post.
Gomez could have gotten a second goal five minutes later but his venomous strike from distance beat Abdulghafoor but not the post.
Of the two teams, Muras looked the likelier to find a winner but even though efforts from Gomez and Toktonaliev were saved by Abdulghafoor, it made little difference as the point was enough to take Sergii Puchkov’s side through.
Related News
- AFC Challenge League
Group C: FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK) 1-2 Safa SC (LBN)
- AFC Challenge League
Group A: Altyn Asyr FC (TKM) 1-3 Al Shabab Club (OMA)
- AFC Challenge League
Group A: Paro FC (BHU) 3-3 FC Abdysh-Ata (KGZ)
- AFC Challenge League
Group B: Kuwait SC (KUW) 2-0 Bashundhara Kings (BAN)
- AFC Challenge League
Group B: Al Seeb Club (OMA) 1-2 Al Ansar FC (LBN)
Item 1 of 5