SPIRITED COMEBACK VICTORY! PAKHTAKOR DEFEATED IN THE UZBEK "EL CLASICO"!
From the very opening minutes of the match, the hosts pushed forward and sought to create a series of dangerous moments in front of our goal. However, our team quickly seized the initiative and began placing the Tashkent side's defense under heavy pressure. Jovović, Iskanderov, and Sayfiyev had clear opportunities to open the scoring, but lacked precision in the final third. In the 23rd minute, a swift counter-attack by the hosts took a dangerous turn: Flamarion was brought down after breaking into our penalty area, and the referee unhesitatingly awarded a penalty. Doston Hamdamov stepped up to the spot and converted the opportunity, putting the hosts ahead – 1:0. Undeterred by the conceded goal, our players maintained their composure, focused their efforts on attacking, and continued to push forward. However, all attempts to breach the opponent's defensive line before the break proved unsuccessful, and the teams went into halftime with a minimal advantage for the hosts.
Entering the second half with a series of tactical adjustments, our team raised the attacking tempo right from the restart. Persistent pressure finally paid off in the 55th minute: Alisher Odilov burst down the left flank into the penalty area at high speed and picked out Stipe Perica in a ideal position. Our striker capitalized brilliantly, beating the keeper with a precise finish to restore parity – 1:1.
With the psychological momentum fully on our side, our squad intensified the pressure. In the 66th minute, one of the finest goals of the match unfolded: Koffi Kouao skillfully dribbled past multiple defenders before calmly slotting the ball into the net to give us the lead – 1:2. But our team did not stop there. During another dangerous attack, the opposing defenders were forced to foul Stipe Perica. As the foul denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, the referee showed a direct red card, reducing the opponents to ten men and awarding a penalty. Jamshid Iskanderov stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot-kick to make it 1:3. The scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle. With this result, our team secured a decisive comeback victory in the intense Uzbek "El Clasico," further solidifying our position at the top of the table.
UZBEKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE
October 23 | Matchday 25 Tashkent,
Pakhtakor Central Stadium | 19:00
PAKHTAKOR 1:3 NEFTCHI
Goals: Doston Hamdamov 23' (P) (1:0), Stipe Perica 55' (1:1), Koffi Kouao 66' (1:2), Jamshid Iskanderov 89' (P) (1:3)
Referee: Firdavs Norsafarov Assistant Referees: Farhod Usmonov, Elnur Doniyorov Fourth Official: Nikita Mustafin VAR: Nayim Qosimov AVAR: Alisher Raximqulov Match Assessor: Zokir Qodirov Match Commissioner: Bekzod Oripov
Neftchi: 1. Botirali Ergashev, 4. Bojan Ciger, 5. Ikrom Alibaev, 8. Vladimir Jovović (77. Ratinho, 70'), 10. Jamshid Iskanderov, 15. Nurmuhammad Abduganiyev (7. Abrorbek Ismoilov, 46'), 20. Anvarjon Gofurov, 21. Muxsinjon Ubaydullayev (22. Alisher Odilov, 46'), 32. Zoran Marušić (18. Stipe Perica, 31'), 34. Farrux Sayfiyev, 52. Koffi Kouao (6. Ibrohim Halil Yoldoshev, 70')
Substitutes: 45. Akbar Torayev, 9. Xurshid Giyosov, 11. Asilbek Jumayev, 71. Bilolxon Toshmirzayev
Head Coach: Islombek Ismoilov
FC Neftchi Press Service