Tashkent: Hazem Shehata’s 51st minute strike from distance helped Al Rayyan to their first win in the 2024-2025 AFC Champions League Elite (West Zone) as they defeated Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan 1-0 in the fourth round of the continental tournament at the JAR Stadium in Tashkent on Tuesday.
The triumph, which was secured after the defender outmaneuvered Vladimir Nazarov with a poorly executed punt, grants Al Rayyan their inaugural points of the season and elevates the Qatar Stars League team from the last position in the standings.
Conversely, Pakhtakor remains at two points after four matches and continues to seek their first victory in the tournament, as the Tashkent club has fallen out of the top eight positions that ensure advancement to the knockout stages in March.
The home team commenced the match with vigor, as Sardor Sabirkhodjaev’s expertly executed volley in the sixth minute was dramatically tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Paulo Victor, with the Uzbek side applying pressure on their opponents from the very start.
In the 17th minute, Pakhtakor came perilously close to scoring when Muhammadrasul Abdumajidov’s header struck the right post of Victor.
Subsequently, in the 27th minute, Khojiakbar Alijonov delivered a ball across the goal that Otabek Jurakuziyev should have easily converted.
As the match approached three minutes of injury time, the home side faced further frustration. Alijonov compelled Victor to deflect the ball after Dragan Ceran had flicked on a long clearance from goalkeeper Nazarov.
Following the break, Pakhtakor maintained control of the game’s pace but was unexpectedly punished in the 51st minute. Shehata’s deep pass intended for Roger Guedes in the penalty area was overhit, sailing over Nazarov and finding the top corner of the net.
Just two minutes later, Muhammadali Urinboev nearly equalized, but Victor managed to block his first-time shot from seven yards out after Umar Adhamzoda’s low cross from the left found him in a favorable position.
Mahmoud Trezeguet’s header narrowly missed the target, and David Garcia sent a ball across the goal that should have been finished as Al Rayyan aimed for a second goal. Moments later, Abdumajidov volleyed over the bar from six yards out, missing a clear opportunity to score.
Ceran had an opportunity to equalize with two minutes left on the clock; however, the captain of Pakhtakor’s weak header from Kimi Merk’s cross was comfortably gathered by Victor, ensuring that Al Rayyan clinched the three points.
