The team 'Nefti' from Fergana, Uzbekistan, defeated the Iraqi club 'Air Force' 1-0 in their opening match of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 season.
The only goal was scored by Serbian forward Zoran Marusic in the 83rd minute of the match.
The first half passed without goals, but 'Nefti' continued to create chances in front of the guests' goal. The breakthrough occurred seven minutes before the end of regular time when Kuffi Kuayo delivered a cross from the right, which Marusic won in the air and directed into the net.
The home team could have scored much earlier. In the 12th minute, Yan Sasse took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area after a clever feint by Stipe Periki, but the ball went wide of the left post.
Shortly after, Abrobr Ismailov attempted a close-range shot, but the ball sailed over the crossbar. Ikromjon Alibayev also missed his target.
In the 35th minute, Periki headed the ball after Ismailov's corner, but his attempt passed centimeters from the top right corner of Mohammad Salih's goal.
After the break, 'Nefti' continued their attack. Alisher Odilov failed to reach the ball with a header after Kuayo's cross, and Ratinio could not score with his first touch.
In the 61st minute, Salih made an impressive save against Ratinio's long-range shot. Shortly after, he deflected Periki's header from eight meters, sending it over the crossbar. The 'Air Force' goalkeeper repeatedly prevented goals for his team.
Nevertheless, in the 83rd minute, Salih could not stop Marusic, who capitalized on Kuayo's cross, securing three points for 'Nefti'.
Before the start of the game, a minute of silence was observed at the Istiklol stadium in memory of the victims of recent natural disasters in China and Nepal.