Pakhtakor draws first blood
Defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC needed a stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw against Pakhtakor in their AFC Champion League Elite opener at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Monday.
Goalkeeper Vladimir Nazarov produced a string of saves to frustrate the two-time winners before Flamarion put Pakhtakor ahead five minutes from time, only for Firas Al Brikan to rescue Al Ahli in the third minute of stoppage time.
Making their return to the competition after missing out last season, Pakhtakor were under pressure from the outset, with Galeno and Ivan Toney both going close during a sustained spell of Al Ahli pressure.
The Saudi Pro League side carved out another good opening in the 21st minute when Saleh Abu Al Shamat released Matheus Goncalves down the right, but Nazarov parried away his low effort.
Pakhtakor, who were forced to defend deep, almost caught Al Ahli out in the 34th minute when Sherzod Nasrullaev’s cross picked out Hussein, who headed narrowly wide.
Al Ahli responded strongly, with Nazarov producing another important save to deny Galeno in the 42nd minute before Matheus Goncalves sent a late effort wide as Pakhtakor held firm until the interval.
Pakhtakor emerged with greater intent after the break, with Aymen Hussein firing wide from distance before Bashar Rasan saw his effort blocked by Merih Demiral.
Al Ahli remained a threat, with Demiral heading Matheus Goncalves’ delivery narrowly wide in the 52nd minute before Eduard Spertsyan saw his effort from outside the box blocked.
The home side continued to probe and Nazariv was called into action again in the 67th minute, getting down sharply to keep out Saad Yaslam’s low effort before turning the ball behind for a corner.
Al Brikan, who was introduced in place of Toney, then had another opportunity in the 72nd minute but headed Eduard Spertsyan’s delivery wide before Pakhtakor showed their mettle with five minutes left to play.
Substitute Flamarion initiated the move before continuing his run into the box to latch onto Stephen Chinedu’s through ball and clip a composed finish over the advancing Edouard Mendy into the top corner.
Al Brikan, however came to Al Ahli’s rescue in the third minute of stoppage time, pouncing on the rebound after Nazarov had kept out Eduard Spertsyan’s effort, clipping the ball past the goalkeeper to salvage a point for the defending champions.
RESULTS
Al Ahli Saudi (KSA) drew Pakhtakor (Uzb) 1-1
Eshteglai (Irn) bt beat Al Sadd (Qat) 3-0
Al Qassiah Club (KSA) beat Al Wasi (UAE) 2-1
Al Shamal (Qat) drew Al Ittihad (KSA) 1-1
Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) beat Tractor (Irn) 1-0
PFC Neftchi (Uzb) beat Air Force (Irq) 1-0
