Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Ferghana-based Neftchi defeated Iraq’s Air Force FC 1-0 in their opening match of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite season. Serbian forward Zoran Marusic scored the only goal in the 83rd minute.
After a goalless first half, Neftchi continued to create chances in front of the visitors’ goal. The breakthrough came seven minutes before the end of regular time, when Kuffi Kuayo delivered a cross from the right towards Marusic, who won the aerial duel and headed the ball into the net.
The hosts could have taken the lead much earlier. In the 12th minute, Jan Sasse fired a left-footed shot from outside the box after a clever backheel from Stipe Perica, but the ball went just wide of the left post.
Soon afterwards, Abrobr Ismailov attempted a close-range shot, but the ball went over the crossbar. Ikromjon Alibaev then also missed the target.
In the 35th minute, Perica headed the ball after Ismailov’s corner, but his effort went just wide of the top-right corner of Mohammed Salih’s goal.
Neftchi continued to attack after the break. Alisher Odilov headed over following a cross from Kuayo, while Ratinio failed to hit the target with a first-time effort.
In the 61st minute, Salih made a diving save to keep out Ratinio’s long-range effort. Soon afterwards, he tipped Perica’s header from eight metres over the crossbar. The Air Force goalkeeper repeatedly kept his team from conceding.
However, in the 83rd minute, Salih was unable to stop Marusic, who converted Kuayo’s cross to give Neftchi all three points.
Before the match, a minute of silence was observed at Istiqlol Stadium in memory of victims of recent natural disasters in China and Nepal.
