Al Nassr get vital win

Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr beat Uzbek outfit Bunyodkor 1-0 in their Group A match in the AFC Champions League played at Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent on Wednesday.

The goal was scored by Polish midfielder Adrian Mierzejewski in the 33rd minute to help maintain their hopes of qualifying for the Round of 16 for only the second time.

The hosts started well but failed to trouble Al Enezi in the Al Nassr goal.

In the 30th minute, the Uzbeks nearly went in front through a header from 12-yards out by Timur Ayupov, which was tipped round the post by the keeper.

Three minutes later the Saudi side scored when Armando Wila passed the ball to Hassan Al Raheb before he laid the ball back to Mierzejewski who scored with a 20-yards shot in the bottom left of the goal.

In the 50th minute Bunyodkor almost equalised when Ayupov’s shot from 20-yards rebounded off the crossbar.

Midway through the second half Sardor Rashidov curled an effort from distance which was well parried by Al Enezi. But then when Gafurov slid in during the scramble, he was adjudged to have fouled the Saudi keeper and was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The home side never let up despite being a man down but keeper Rashidov and Al Nassr were able to hold out for the win.