NINE ALTYN ASYR PLAYERS STAND AGAINST HUDJAND IN THE FIRST MATCH OF 2021 AFC CUP

14 May

Players of Ashgabat’s Altyn Asyr Football Club have played 2 – 2 draw against Tajik Hudjant in the first leg of F Group, AFC Cup. Altymurad Annadurdiyev has scored two goals in composition of Turkmenistan’s champion on th 15th and 44th minute while Artyom Serdyuk and captain of the team Dil’shad Bozorov have scored among the silver champion of Tajikistan on the 25th and 41st minutes of the match.

The games of this Group, which also includes Nasaf from Uzbekistan and Alay from Kyrgyzstan, are held on the Central Stadium of Dushanbe with participation of fans.

Seven-time champion and current holder of Turkmenistan’s Cup is thought to be a leader in this group not without a reason. For five years of play in the AFC Cup, Altyn Asyr was in the final in 2018 while Hudjant plays only for the second time in the group round of these competitions.

Until the last match, the teams have met only twice. Back in 2019, the opponents have played 0:0 draw at the field of Hudjant and Altyn Asyr, which only once lost to Istiklol from Dushanbe in eight previous matches with Tajikistan’s teams, has won in Ashgabat.

The first match between Hudjant and Altyn Asyr in new AFC Cup has started with attacks of the hosts. However, the attacking move was cooled down by Altymurad Annadudiyev, having scored an amazing goal from outside of the penalty area to the right far corner – 1:0. The stands went on silent but not for a long time. After 3 minutes, Referee of the match Omar Mohammed Al Ali from UAE left our team in minority, having ordered off Berdymurad Rejepov for flagrant foul.

The hosts have cheered up and new player of Hudjant from Russia Artyom Serdyuk has equalized the score after good pass from the midfield. Further, the vice-champion of Tajikistan has taken over with 2:1 score. At the 41st minutes, the players of Rustam Hojayev received a right for a free kick. An overhead pass came from the left corner to Dil’shad Bozorov. His first headbutt was managed to be kicked off by our goalkeeper but the second one went in.

It seemed that the teams would go for a break with 2:1 score in Hudjant’s favor. But on the 44th minute, after the pass from the left corner, Vezirgeldy Ilyasov has transferred the ball by the head to Altymurad Annadurdiyev who stroke the ball to the goal from close distance. This goal, which was scored by the champion of Turkmenistan in minority on the last minutes of the first half, has shattered the hosts.

No matter how much Tajik football players tried to attack in the second half, they were not able to get advantage of the strength in number. At the end of the match, Altyn Asyr has ended up in difficult situation. The referee has sent off another player Mekan Saparov for the second yellow card, having left out team with nine players only. It is necessary to compliment the players of Honored Coach of Turkmenistan Yazkuly Hojageldiyev, who, having shown the character, did not allow the opponent to win.

In the result, both Altyn Asyr and Hudjant have one point in their record. Vice-champion of Uzbekistan Nasaf is leading in the E group with3 points, having confidently won the winner of Kyrgyzstan Cup Alay with 4:0 score.

The matches of the second round will be held on May 17. Altyn Asyr will play with Alay from Kyrgyzstan and Tajik Hudjant will meet with Uzbek Nasaf.

Only the winner of the group will be qualified for the next round.

Reporter of the Golden Age
Photo by Asian Football Confederation