Eschkata saw off Istaravshan 3-1 in the Higher League on Tuesday, a result that keeps them steady in ninth while Istaravshan remain rooted to twelfth. The home side paid for a sloppy opening but found a way back into it when it mattered most. To be fair, they looked the better side from the start.
The first goal came at minute fifteen, a sharp strike that gave Eschkata early confidence. Istaravshan responded well enough to keep things level, but the hosts took control before the break. By then they had thrown bodies in the way and made life difficult for their visitors.
We had called for a home win at 52 per cent confidence, and this time the analysis held water. Eschkata were out of sight by half-time after scoring twice in quick succession. Istaravshan never really recovered, and Eschkata added a third at minute sixty-nine to seal the matter.
Corners stood at three apiece, a balanced tally that reflected the even nature of much of the play. Eschkata had more to show for it, of course, and the statistics told the same story. Three goals from three corners is not a recipe for dominance, but it is enough to win.
The result leaves Eschkata on nineteen points from seventeen games, with five wins, four draws and eight losses. Istaravshan sit on six points from the same number of fixtures, having found only six draws all season. There is no value left at that number, and they know it.