Pakhtakor beat Al Ahli

Gulf News - Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan defeated Al Ahli of UAE (3-2) in the first leg of the Asian Football Champions league pre-quarterfinals in Tashkent yesterday.

Al Ahli needs to win by a solitary goal 1-0 in the second leg which will be held in Dubai on November 27 to qualify for the quarterfinals. Al Ahli put up a strong performance in front of 40,000 Pakhtakor supporters.

Ali Karimi was in a good form yesterday causing panic among the Pakhtakor defenders during the 90 minutes. Also Hasan Ali Ibrahim, Faisal Khalil, Mussa Saib, Kelvin Sebwe and Mohammed Qassim did well and gave their best.

The first session ended in 1-1 draw with Jolyaive scoring the opener for the home team in the 25th minute.

Ali Karimi soon responded for Al Ahli by scoring the equaliser in the 30th minute. In the second session, Pakhtakor snatched the lead to make it 2-1 with a header by Dosaiev in the 68th minute.

Two minutes later, following a swift Al Ahli move, Hasan Ali Ibrahim levelled with a spectacular shot that hit the top of the post and went in.

Pakhtakor scored the winner in the 75th minute following an error by Ahli goalkeeper Ali Saeed and his defenders with substitute Zain Eddine hitting the winner for Pakhtakor to make it 3-2.

Al Ahli led by Ali Karimi and Hasan Ali attacked powerfully to try and draw level but the Pakhtakor defence and goalkeeper stood solid till the final whistle to keep their team's narrow lead.