Pakhtakor edge past Nasaf in tense Super League encounter
Pakhtakor secured a 2-1 victory over Nasaf at the Super League match on Saturday, moving further clear in second place. An own goal gave the hosts an early lead, but the visitors turned things around after the break to claim all three points. The result leaves Pakhtakor nine points ahead of fifth place, while Nasaf remain mid-table with 28 points from 20 games.
A. Davronov gifted the goal in the 15th minute, heading into his own net and sending the home supporters into a brief celebration. To be fair, the momentum shifted quickly — Pakhtakor looked more dangerous in the build-up, and S. Mukhitdinov made them pay on 48 minutes with a composed finish. The visitors were playing the second half a man up after D. Khamdamov's replacement, and it showed.
By then, the match had settled into a rhythm where Pakhtakor controlled the tempo without dominating possession. Both sides registered 50% of the ball, but the away team managed 126 attacks compared to Nasaf's 115. The statistics tell a particular story — Nasaf registered four shots on target with eight off, while Pakhtakor scored twice from just two attempts on goal. Efficiency, not volume, decided the outcome.
O. Bozorov sealed the result in the 72nd minute, timing his run to get in behind the defence and slot home. The goal came shortly after O. Rustamov was substituted for Nasaf, and it felt like the moment the hosts stopped believing. S. Sobirkhuzhaev and G. Gaybullaev both picked up yellows late on, but neither card changed the complexion of the tie.
Pakhtakor are unbeaten in five and have one foot in the running for the title, while Nasaf's recent form — including a 2-1 win over Olmalik and a 1-0 away victory against Kizylkum — suggests they're capable of more. But on this occasion, the visitors were sharper when it mattered. The goal difference now stands at 15 for Pakhtakor and -2 for Nasaf, and the gap between them in the table is unlikely to close anytime soon.