Dubai: Al Nasr missed the opportunity to book early qualification to the last 16 of the Asian Champions League with a 1-1 draw at home to Lokomotiv Tashkent of Uzbekistan in their penultimate group game on Wednesday.
Jires Kembo Ekoko put the hosts ahead on 31 minutes before Temurkhuja Abdukholikov equalised for the visitors two minutes before half-time.
Instead of getting the victory to wrap up early progression to the next round for a historic first time in three appearances, The Blue Wave are now left reliant upon other results and need to get a result away from home in their last group game against Lokomotiv in Tashkent on May 4.
Kembo fired Al Nasr ahead on the half hour after running in from the wing and tricking a defender before launching an unstoppable strike from 25 yards into the centre of the net.
Lokomotiv then equalised just before the interval when Abdukholikov headed in Server Djeparov’s corner, which had been flicked on at the near post by Timur Kapadze.
Nilmar was brought down by Sergey Prokhorov while through on goal before the hour resulting in a free kick, in one of the misfiring Brazilian’s only contributions before being subbed for Salem Saleh on 69 minutes.
Al Nasr keeper Ahmad Shambih had arguably earlier kept the home side in it when he tipped Shaakhmedov Sanjar’s 30-yard shot over the crossbar on the hour.
Jonathan Pitroipa also infuriated Al Nasr fans with 11 minutes remaining when, after being thread through on goal by Luis Jimenez, he decided to cut the ball back inside the defence instead of shooting.
Similar to Nilmar’s stunted run, Kembo was brought down on the edge of the box by Salim Mustafaev in stoppage time, but Jimenez’ follow-up freekick was fired straight at the wall.
Al Nasr coach Ivan Jovanovic admitted that it was disappointing not to have wrapped up qualification at home at the earliest opportunity, especially as it leaves them in need of getting a result in Tashkent against a side that have yet to lose in the group.
“Yes, this is true [it’s disappointing] but I can honestly say that my players tried a lot in today’s game and we had to play against a very good team, a team that you can see was a lot fresher than us,” he said in reference to the Uzbek league having just started in contrast to the UAE league nearing its completion.
“But as we have done in all Asian Champions League matches so far, we will go to play with the same effort in Tashkent. We are not afraid.”
Lokomotiv Tashkent coach Andrey Miklyaev said that he didn’t think his team had any advantage despite playing their last and decisive group game at home.
“Anywhere we play we always try to play for victory despite the draw being at home we will try to play with the aim to win and take first place in the group.”
