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Navbahor secured their first-ever win in the AFC Champions League, defeating Mumbai City 3-0 on Matchday Two of Group D of the 2023/24 edition at the Markaziy Stadion on Tuesday, October 3.
The Uzbek side had started their maiden AFC Champions League adventure with a heroic 1-1 draw with Al Hilal in Riyadh where they led for most of the second half before being clawed by deep in added time. Meanwhile, Mumbai City’s second appearance in the competition kicked-off with a 2-0 reversal at home against Iranian side Nassaji Mazandaran.
Navbahor looked to start on the front foot and had their first attempt inside the opening 60 seconds when Jamshid Iskanderov pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the Mumbai City box and hit it on the half-volley, but his shot crept just wide.
Mumbai City’s first threat came from a long-range free-kick that Yoell van Nieff hit with power, but the Dutch midfielder’s effort just missed the target midway through the first half.
The Indian side had a golden opportunity to take the lead four minutes before the break when Ibrohim Yoldoshev was penalised for handling a cross inside the box. Scottish forward Greg Stewart stepped up to take the resulting spot kick but watched as Utkir Yusupov made a diving save to deny him down the right.
Instead, it was Navbahor who opened the scoring seven minutes into the second half when Jasurbek Yakhshiboyev dispossessed an opponent deep inside the Mumbai City half and squared for Jamshid Iskanderov who unleashed a thunderous left-footed drive into the top corner for his side’s first goal in the competition in front of their home fans.
Just six minutes later, Yakhshiboyev turned from provider to scorer as Oston O’runov twisted and turned, dancing his way past the Mumbai City defence down the left before setting up the 26-year-old who applied a composed finish from inside the box to make it 2-0 for the hosts.
With just two minutes left on the clock, substitute Doniyor Abdumannopov rounded off the scoring with a cheeky dinked finish past goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa to put the icing on the cake for the home fans.
Navbahor welcome Iranian side Nassaji to Namangan next while Mumbai City FC travel to Riyadh to play Al Hilal.
#MumbaiCity FC lose 0-3 at #Navbahor in #Uzbekistan in the #AFCChampionsLeague.
A first half penalty miss for the Islanders & a much better Navbahor in the second session was the difference.#IndianFootball #ACL
— Arunava Chaudhuri | arunfoot (@Arunfoot) October 3, 2023
