FC Arkadag earned another point in the AFC Champions League Two™ 2025/26, drawing 1-1 with PFC Andijon of Uzbekistan in the 5th round of Group B, The Golden age electronic newspaper reports.
The game took place at the Bobur Arena in Andijan in front of 15 000 spectators.
With the starting whistle from Kuwait referee Abdullah Jamali, the hosts launched an attack. Having withstood the onslaught, men of Vladimir Bayramov soon settled into a calmer atmosphere. The first half was devoid of any real scoring opportunities. The main events of the match occurred after the break.
In the 63rd minute, Andijon opened the scoring: Abdulvokhid Gulomov crossed from the right flank to Nigerian international Ismahil Akinade, who won an aerial duel with Ibrahim Mammedov and headed the ball into the goal.
However, the joy of hosts was short-lived. In the 68th minute, Shamammet Hydyrov crossed from the left flank to Didar Durdyyev, and the top scorer of Turkmenistan Championship, beating defender Shakhzod Azmiddinov, headed the ball past Mohir Komilov, who had broken through.
The result leaves Andijon with five points and Arkadag with four, and both sides can still qualify for the knockout stage if they win their final fixtures.
Earlier, in another match of the fifth round, Al Khaldiya SC of Bahrain lost 2-1 at home to Al Ahli SC of Qatar, relinquishing top spot in the league table.
After this, the Group B standings look like this: Al Ahli SC has 7 points, Al Khaldiya SC has 6, PFC Andijon has 5 and FC Arkadag has 4.
Therefore, FC Arkadag still has a chance to advance to the playoffs before the final round. To do so, they must win their home match against Bahraini runners-up Al Khaldiya SC on the 24th of December, while PFC Andijon must lose or draw in their away match against Qatari Al Ahli SC.
As a reminder, the top two teams from the group stage will advance to the AFC Champions League Round of 16.
