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AFC Women's Champions League
The win sealed a second successive semi-final appearance for the Australian side with head coach Matricciani highlighting the impact of Melbourne’s bench which gave his team extra attacking impetus against a tiring Nasaf side.
#AWCL | Quarter-finals: Melbourne City FC (AUS) 2-1 PFC Nasaf (UZB)
“It was a really tough match,” said Matricciani. “They defended really well and caused us a few problems with set-plays and transitions. They have a couple of technical players who we needed to keep tight and make use of our physicality.
“We dominated and opened the game up in areas that we wanted to. We scored the goal really late which added to the drama and excitement of the match but we always emphasised that we are stronger together and showed that we can be patient."
“We dominated and opened the game up in areas that we wanted to. We scored the goal really late which added to the drama and excitement of the match but we always emphasised that we are stronger together and showed that we can be patient."
“The front third is about them expressing themselves and taking players on. We saw, especially late in the game, when Dani Butrus came on and Chinaza (Uchendu) with another amazing impact off the bench.”
The quarter-final tie against the Uzbekistan side was only settled in the final minute of regulation time through Uchendu’s strike after Zarina Mamatkarimova had cancelled out Holly McNamara’s opener for the Australian outfit, with Melbourne to face Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the semi-finals on May 20.
The quarter-final tie against the Uzbekistan side was only settled in the final minute of regulation time through Uchendu’s strike after Zarina Mamatkarimova had cancelled out Holly McNamara’s opener for the Australian outfit, with Melbourne to face Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the semi-finals on May 20.
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There was heartbreak for Botir Kordikulov but the Nasaf head coach was adamant that this will not be the end for them in the competition.
“Most of the players have been here for two months, continuing on from the (AFC Women’s) Asian Cup,” said Kordikulov. “This match was important for us and we came here trying to win but it wasn’t to be.
“We will take plenty of lessons from the game and from where we are domestically, we have a great chance of returning to this competition next season and if we do so, we will try to show an even better performance.”
“Most of the players have been here for two months, continuing on from the (AFC Women’s) Asian Cup,” said Kordikulov. “This match was important for us and we came here trying to win but it wasn’t to be.
“We will take plenty of lessons from the game and from where we are domestically, we have a great chance of returning to this competition next season and if we do so, we will try to show an even better performance.”
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