Nasaf opened the scoring courtesy of an own goal from Pritam Kotal before Khusain Norchaev netted a hat-trick and then Oybek Bozorov and Doniyorjon Narzullaev completed the drubbing.
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ATK Mohun Bagan were thrashed 6-0 by FC Nasaf in the AFC Cup Inter-Zonal play-off semi-finals at the Markaziy Stadium in Karshi City, Uzbekistan on Wednesday. Right from the start of the game Nasaf was on the front foot. Within four minutes of kickoff, the hosts opened the scoring courtesy of an own goal from Pritam Kotal. Khusain Norchaev netted a hat-trick within 32 minutes before Oybek Bozorov completed a five goal first half. And then, Doniyorjon Narzullaev added a sixth after the break to complete the drubbing.
The first goal was an unfortunate one of the visitors, McHugh’s attempted clearance header from a corner deflected off Kotal and went inside the goal. But after that, all other goals were well worked one’s. In the 18th minute, Sherzod Nasrullayev’s low cross from the left side was tucked in by Norcheav.
Three minutes after the goal, the 19-year-old got his second of the night, once again it was a move from the left flank. This time, it was a lofted ball to the far post, which was headed towards the path of Oybek Bozorov by Sukhrob Nurulloev. But Bozorov’s attempt was blocked and the rebound fell to Norchaev who slotted the ball past Amrinder Singh and into the goal on his second attempt.
The hosts were getting better as the game progressed in front of a packed stadium. Just after the half-hour mark, Akmal Mozgovoy played a brilliant through ball for Norcheav to complete his hat-trick. Two minutes from the break, Bozrov’s penalty attempt came off the post. And then, on the stroke of half-time, Dilshod Saitov’s low cross from the right side of penalty area was tapped in by Bozorov from close range.
At the interval, Norchaev was replaced by Andrija Kaluderovic and the home side eased themselves a bit in the second half as they already had a five goal cushion. Meanwhile ATK Mohun Bagan’s attackers David Williams , Roy Krishna, Manvir Singh never got into the game as they failed to register even a single shot on target.
In the 71st minute, Marko Stanojevic’s brilliant through ball found substitute Narzullaev on the right side of penalty area and the 26-year-old smashed the ball past Amrinder into the top of the goal.
ATK Mohun Bagan played with a three-man central defence consisting of Ashutosh Mehta, Kotal and Subhasish Bose. All three of them are not proper centre-back’s, Bose is a natural left-back whereas Kotal and Mehta are primarily right-backs. Head Coach Antonio Habbas has some issues to address heading into the new ISL season. The departure of centre-back Sandesh Jinghan seems to have created a hole in the ATK Mohun Bagan defence.
Nasaf will next play Lee Man FC of Hong Kong for a place in the final of AFC Cup. The Uzbek side last one the competition a decade ago and after the thumping victory they will be dreaming big again.
Meanwhile ATK Mohun Bagan who are now out of the competition will next play Kerala Blasters on November 19 in the opening match of the eighth edition of ISL at the Fatorda Stadium.
