Al-Sadd suffered a 1-3 defeat to Uzbekistan’s Nasaf, in their 2023-24 AFC Champions League Group B second round encounter at the Central Stadium in Qarshi.
The defeat keeps Al-Sadd at a solitary point, while Nasaf leads the group with a tally of 6 points. Al-Sadd’s only goal came from Boualem Khoukhi in the 83rd minute, while Nasaf secured their victory with goals from Sukhrob Nurulloev (28′), and a brace by Azizbek Amanov (47′, 58′). The match also saw Akram Afif receiving a red card in the 86th minute.
The initial stages of the game were marked by caution, with both teams testing the waters for the first fifteen minutes. The midfield saw intense battles with both sides putting numbers in midfield.
Nasaf nearly took the lead in the 17th minute when Muzgovoy’s shot from the edge of the penalty area was saved and kept out for a corner by Al-Sadd’s goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham.
The opening goal came in the 28th minute when Sukhrob Nurulloev unleashed a powerful shot from inside the penalty area, giving Nasaf the lead.
Despite the goal, Al-Sadd mounted a strong comeback, starting to control the game completely. In the 38th minute, Akram Afif played a cross that Yousuf Abdurisag tried to tucked away but the ball went wide of the left post. Nasaf ended the first half with a 1-0 advantage.
The Uzbek side added their second goal at the start of the second half through Azizbek Amanov. Al-Sadd responded with two simultaneous substitutions, bringing on Baghdad Bounedjah and Amin Hazbawi for Yousuf Abdurisag and Musaab Khidir.
Amanov secured his brace in the 58th minute, putting Nasaf comfortably ahead. Al-Sadd managed to reduce the deficit with Boualem Khoukhi’s goal in the 83rd minute. However, the Wolves were dealt a blow by a red card shown to Akram Afif in the 87th minute.
Despite continuous efforts from Al-Sadd, the referee went on to signal the end of the match, and Nasaf emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline.
