The Neftchi team from Fergana lost to the Saudi club Al-Ittihad with a score of 2:1 in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026–2027 tournament. The decisive goal was scored in the 90th minute by substitute Yussef En-Nesyri.
After three matches, Al-Ittihad has accumulated four points, while Neftchi, who previously defeated Air Force SC from Iraq, has one point less.
The hosts started the game aggressively at the Istiklol stadium. As early as the second minute, Alisher Odilov took a long shot at the Saudi goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.
In the 13th minute, after a video review, the referee awarded a penalty for Neftchi because George Ilenikena touched the ball in the Al-Ittihad penalty area. Jamshid Isqandarov confidently converted the chance, despite Rajkovic touching the ball.
Odilov sent the ball into the net in the 27th minute, but this goal was disallowed for offside.
Al-Ittihad equalized in the 34th minute. Hossam Awar won an aerial duel against Kofi Kuo and directed the ball into the goal following a cross from Steven Bergwijn on the left flank.
Just before halftime, Neftchi's goalkeeper Botirali Ergashov prevented a dangerous shot from Ilenikena, which allowed the score to remain level during the half.
After the restart, Al-Ittihad increased the pressure, but Neftchi managed to get closer to regaining the lead in the 58th minute. Michel's shot to the right hit the post, after which Rajkovic collected the ball near the goal line.
Ergashov saved Muhannad Al-Shankiti's shot in the 72nd minute. The climax came at the end of regular time: En-Nesyri, who came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute, scored from a free kick from about 23 meters into the lower left corner in the 90th minute.
This goal secured Al-Ittihad's first victory in the tournament campaign.
