Dushanbe: FC Istiklol became the first side from Tajikistan to reach the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup after the tournament debutants claimed a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Syria’s Al Wahda on Tuesday following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.
Former finalists Al Wahda had taken the lead at the Republican Central Stadium midway through the first half through Raslan Al Kurdi’s header only for the unfortunate defender to level the scores 12 minutes before the break following a misplaced clearance.
And after 120 minutes was unable to separate the two sides, 2012 AFC President’s Cup winners Istiklol held their never by netting all four penalties while goalkeeper Nikola Stosic first saved from Osama Omari before watching as Al Wahda ‘s Mahmoud Khadouj missed the vital spot-kick to hand the home side the victory.
Cheered on by a passionate home support, Group C winners Istiklol got off to a strong start but fell behind in the 21st minute when Al Kurdi’s powerful header from a corner gave goalkeeper Stosic no chance.
But despite conceding, Istiklol remained on top and created the better of the chances with midfielder Nuriddin Davronov firing just over from distance shortly after the half-hour mark.
And the hosts equalised a minute later when Al Kurdi toe-poked into his own net from 12 yards after miscuing his attempt to play a Khurshed Makhmudov through ball out for a corner.
Group A runners-up Al Wahda came close to retaking the lead eight minutes before the interval, but forward Mohammad Hamdkou fired over from inside the area.
And the visitors came out stronger after the restart but chances were at a premium until the 74th minute when Hamdkou should have put his side in front once more after the ball broke to him on the edge of the six yard area but instead he directed his shot straight at Istiklol goalkeeper Stosic.
With both sides pressing for the winner, Davronov then came close after 75 minutes only to see his curling free-kick from 30 yards fly just wide of Taha Mousa’s right post and the game headed into extra-time.
The hosts were inches away from going in front 10 minutes into added time through substitute Parvizjon Umarbdev, but agonisingly for the home fans, his left-foot curler from just inside the area hit the top of the crossbar after beating Al Wahda goalkeeper Mousa.
Istiklol continued to push forward in the second period of extra-time but were unable to find the breakthrough as the game went to penalties.
Davronov and Akhtam Nazarov scored the hosts’ first two penalties, while Omari saw Al Wahda first effort saved before Mohammad Kataya put the visitors back in contention by converting his penalty.
Fathullo Fathuloev and Umarbdev then maintained the home side’s 100% record from the spot, and despite Hamdkou also converting for 2004 finalists Al Wahda, Khadouj’s miss eventually proved costly for the visitors.
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