Al Wakrah’s Gelson Dala was the hero of the match as he scored the only goal in their 1-0 victory over FC Ravshan in the AFC Champions League Two. The game, which took place at the Central Republican Stadium in Dushanbe, saw Dala’s first-half strike secure Al Wakrah their first points in the competition while Ravshan is still in search of a win after opening their campaign with a draw.
The match started off scrappy with both teams vying for possession. Ravshan’s Samuel Ofori and Al Wakrah’s Lucas Mendes had early chances, with Mendes narrowly missing a free-kick and Fathy failing to find the target. Ravshan also had their opportunities but struggled to convert, with Rahimov and Mawutor unable to hit the mark.
Al Wakrah missed a chance to take the lead before the half-hour mark when Dala failed to find the target from above the box. However, the breakthrough finally came in the 45th minute when Aissa Laidouni played a well-timed through ball to Dala, who finished past the keeper to give Al Wakrah the lead.
In the second half, it was Ravshan’s turn to push for an equalizer. They came close in the 59th minute with Albakri making a crucial save to deny Matic and Maksumov. Ultimately, Al Wakrah held on to secure the win and grab three valuable points in the competition.
Looking ahead, Ravshan will face Tractor SC from Iran in their next match, while Al Wakrah will take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant from India on October 23. Both teams will be looking to build on their performances and continue their quest for success in the AFC Champions League Two.