AFC Challenge League
The win kept Muras on pace with Kuwait’s Al Arabi SC with both on four points going into Friday’s decider while Safa know anything other than victory against Tajikistan’s FC Regar-TadAZ would mean an end to their campaign.
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Muras looked to have identified Safa’s weakness in dealing with crosses early on as Islam Iunusov’s floater from the right in the sixth minute found Chabel Gomez who got to the ball but mistimed his touch.
The group hosts took the lead in the 17th minute when Iunusov beat Mohammad El Hayek to nod home Andriy Batsula’s deep cross from the left with Safa custodian Alil Hallal left unsighted by a teammate.
The group hosts took the lead in the 17th minute when Iunusov beat Mohammad El Hayek to nod home Andriy Batsula’s deep cross from the left with Safa custodian Alil Hallal left unsighted by a teammate.
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Another headed opportunity fell the way of Iunusov 12 minutes later, this time from a Gomez cross but despite once again beating El Hayek, the midfielder got his diving header horribly wrong from close range.
Against the run of play, Safa nearly got back on level footing in the 33rd minute when Hassan Mehanna chested down a free-kick and fired a powerful shot that beat Orest Kostyk but not the crossbar.
Against the run of play, Safa nearly got back on level footing in the 33rd minute when Hassan Mehanna chested down a free-kick and fired a powerful shot that beat Orest Kostyk but not the crossbar.
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Hallal’s crass decision-making in the 40th minute nearly proved costly after he rushed out of his box to clear to touch, with Muras then taking a quick throw-in that saw Nursultan Toktonaliev steaming in towards an unguarded goalmouth before Kassem Hayek rushed back to clear.
Muras continued to create opportunities after the interval with Amir Zhaparov’s free-kick and Maksat Alygulov’s swerving shot both saved by Hallal before Gomez’s effort just curled away at the last moment.
Muras continued to create opportunities after the interval with Amir Zhaparov’s free-kick and Maksat Alygulov’s swerving shot both saved by Hallal before Gomez’s effort just curled away at the last moment.
Miscommunication between Kostyk and centre-back Yurii Mate in the 71st minute presented Safa with the chance to equalise but Tidiane Camara scooped his effort well wide of the goalmouth.
Safa spurned another good opportunity 15 minutes later when substitute Eze Okeuhie was played through but Kostyk was alert to his near-post strike, with Muras then making sure of the points through Toktonaliev’s goal deep into stoppage time.
Safa spurned another good opportunity 15 minutes later when substitute Eze Okeuhie was played through but Kostyk was alert to his near-post strike, with Muras then making sure of the points through Toktonaliev’s goal deep into stoppage time.
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