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Al Nasr through to group stages of AFC Champions League with 3-2 victory over Lokomotiv

 

Al Nasr progressed to the 2013 AFC Champions League group stages with a late 3-2 victory over Uzbek side Lokomotiv at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Saturday night.  New Japanese signing Takayuki Morimoto opened the scoring for the home side in the 35th minute, as Al Nasr sat tight defensively and relied heavily on counter attack, going in with a 1-0 lead at the half time break. 

 As the second half got underway, both teams tried their best to fashion scoring chances. Younis Ahmad was replaced by UAE international midfielder Habib Al Fardan in the 69th minute, but he had little time to make an impact before Lokomotiv drew level with a strike from Viktor Karpenko on the 70th minute.  The away side came from behind to lead 2-1 in the 75th minute, as a free kick from Akmal Holmatov evaded everyone and found its way past Ahmad Shambih into the Al Nasr goal. However, their lead didn't last long as substitute Habib Al Fardan netted in the 77th minute to draw the game level again at 2-2.  With both sides desperately seeking a winner, Al Nasr’s keeper Shambih was at full stretch to keep out a powerful header from Lokomotiv in the 86th minute. Two minutes later Al Nasr stormed up the pitch, and Humaid Ahmed Abdulla was adjudged to have been brought down in the area, earning his side an 88th minute penalty. The Blues' Brazilian captain Lima stepped up to convert the spot kick giving the home side an 89th minute lead at 3-2, and this was the result at the full-time whistle.  The victory means Al Nasr have qualified to Group “C” of the AFC Champions League, where they will face Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan of Iran, Qatar's Al Gharafa, and Al Ahli from Saudi Arabia, with group games commencing 26th February.