Draw dents Neftchi title hopes

Footballasia.com November 2 Neftchi’s hopes of preventing leaders Pakhtakor from winning their third consecutive Uzbek league championship were severely dented as they were held to a 1-1 draw by third-placed Navbakhor in round 23 of the season. Neftchi traveled to Namangan knowing that a win would put them within one point of Oliy Liga leaders Pakhtakor and secure second place at worst for the Fergana side. With so much at stake, both teams engaged in a lively match, creating numerous chances on both sides of the pitch.   Neftchi controlled much of the play in the early stages, limiting Navbakhor to long-range efforts, and they deservedly took the lead when Neftchi defender Nasim Shoimov played a one-two with Alijanov before putting a long range shot into the net. Navbakhor showed greater confidence after falling behind and their attacking endeavours were rewarded when they earned a penalty 17 minutes from time after striker Shukhrat Mirkholdirshoyev was brought down by the Neftchi goalkeeper. Mirkholdirshoyev took the spot kick himself and successfully scored his 23rd goal of the season. The result did neither side much good as Neftchi remain three points behind Pakhtakor, who have two games in hand, while Navbakhor remain third, eight points behind Neftchi and with little hope of catching them for second place and a spot in next year’s AFC Champions League. In other round 23 matches, Nasaf moved level on 48 points with Navbakhor and dealt a huge blow to last-placed Andijon with an 8-1 win in Karshi. Uzbekistan international striker Zafar Kholmurodov scored a hat-trick to move into second on the goalscoring chart behind Mirkholdirshoyev with 21 goals as Nasaf recorded their biggest ever win in the Uzbek league. Samarkand overcame relegation rivals Mashal 1-0 to boost their hopes of remaining in the top flight. They are now one point behind the Muborak team and five points ahead of bottom-placed Andijon.   Financially troubled Surkhon traveled to Bukharo but came back empty-handed after a 3-1 loss that leaves them perilously close to the relegation zone. The Tashkent derby between Traktor and Lokomotiv finished 3-1 in favour of Traktor, who moved four points clear of their local rivals in fifth place with only three rounds remaining.   Pakhtakor’s away match against Kyzulkum ended with the former's 3-0 victory and drew it nearer to the title. The champions now need only three points from their four remaining games to secure the leage crown for a third consecutive season. Uzbek Oliy Liga - round 23 results Nasaf 8 Andijon 1 Navbakhor 1 Neftchi 1 Samarkand 1 Mashal 0 Sogdiana 1 Metallurg 0 Bukharo 3 Surkhon 1 Traktor 3 Lokomotiv 1 Kyzulkum 0 Pakhtakor 3 Uzbek Oliy Liga P W D L F A GD Pts Pakhtakor 21 19 2 0 68 9 59 59 Neftchi 23 18 2 3 53 25 28 56 Navbakhor 22 15 3 4 53 19 34 48 Nasaf 23 15 3 5 56 26 30 48 Traktor 23 12 1 10 38 42 -3 37 Lokomotiv 23 9 6 8 30 27 3 33 Bukharo 23 9 3 11 28 38 -10 30 Sogdiana 23 9 2 12 23 39 -16 29 Kyzulkum 22 6 7 9 27 36 -9 25 Metallurg 23 7 3 13 22 41 -19 24 Surkhon 23 6 2 15 21 45 -24 20 Mashal 23 5 3 15 24 37 -13 18 Samarkand 23 5 2 16 20 43 -23 17 Andijon 23 4 1 18 26 62 -36 13