Kalu Uche of Qatar’s Al Rayyan celebrates after scoring a goal against Iran’s Esteghlal during their AFC Championship League match yesterday. RIGHT: Uche fights for the ball with Hanif Omran Zadeh of Esteghlal. Al Rayyan won 1-0.
DOHA: Kalu Uche yesterday scored the only goal of the match to give Qatar’s Al Rayyan a 1-0 win over Esteghlal of Iran in their AFC Champions League match.
Uche scored in the 14th minute of the Group A clash played at Al Rayyan Stadium.
Also yesterday but in an away clash, Qatar Stars League (QSL) side El Jaish edged past Uzbek club Bunyodkar 2-1 in a Group B game played at Pakhtakor Stadium in Tashkent.
Star striker Nilmar struck twice (34 and 69) to power El Jaish to their hard-fought win.
For Bunyodkar, the only goal was scored by Pardev Bakhodir late in the match (90 + 3).
The Qatari side’s marquee close-season signing first inked his name onto the scoresheet on the 34th minute with a fine solo effort and netted his second at a crucial stage on 69 minutes as two-time semi-finalists Bunyodkor threatened to restore parity.
Second-half substitute Pardaev did score late in stoppage time for the home side but it was virtually the last touch of the Group B game as the match referee called the game to an end shortly after to grant the unbeaten visitors from Qatar all three points.AGENCIES
