Players of Turkmen Ahal with 3:1 win over Tajik Ravshan in the group round of Asian Football Confederation Cup. Both teams are in E Group, which matches are held in centralized format at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium without spectators according to the requirements of the AFC. Elman Tagayev has distinguished himself with two goals on the 14^th and 18^th minutes, another goal was scored by Kurban Annayev on the 63^rd minute in our team. Among the winner of Tajikistan’s Cup, Daler Shomuradov has distinguished himself from the penalty on the 52^nd minute.

Both Ahal and Rovshan participate for the third time in AFC Cup, although have never played against each other in official matches. Before the current tournament, which is the second by importance Asian Club Trophy, Rovshan from Tajikistan has been strengthened by defender Benjamin Asamoa from Ghana and three players from Uzbekistan – midfielders Bunyod Shodiyev and Nodirbek Ibragimov and forward Anvar Murodov.

After approximately 7^th minute, Ahal has completely taken over the initiative and open the score. On the 14^th minute, Resul Hojayev has made an excellent pass to Elman Tagayev who transferred the ball to goal – 1:0.

After four minutes, the same link between Hojayev and Tagayev has played. The first one has made a long pass from the midfield behind the back of the defender and brought Elman one to one with goalkeeper. Turkmen player used his chance and scored the goal. 2:0 was the result, with which the teams have finished the first half.

After the free kick, goalkeeper of Ahal Resul Chariyev has knocked down the player of Ravshan in struggling for the ball and referee of the match Shukri Hussein Al Hunfush from Saudi Arabia has assigned the penalty. The penalty was precisely scored by Daler Shomurodov, having reduced the gap until 1:2.

In respect to our players, they have not started to hold the score and increased the gap until two goals. The third goal was scored by Kurban Annayev, having blown an excellent kick in the far corner on the 63^rd minute.

In the remaining time, the winner of Tajikistan’s Cup has made several attempts to change the score but without any success.

The E Group of Central Zone of 2021 AFC Cup also includes 12-time champion of Kyrgyzstan Dordoy from Bishkek, with which Ahal will have to play on May 17.

The winner of the E Group in zonal final will play two matches on August 11 and 25 with the winner of F Group, which matches are played at the same time in Dushanbe between Altyn Asyr (Turkmenistan), Hazaf (Uzbekistan), Hudjant (Tajikistan) and Alay (Kyrgyzstan).

The final of 2021 AFC Cup will take place on November 26.

Reporter of the Golden Age
Photo by Asian Football Confederation