Riascos’ Brace Sends Pakhtakor into Asian Champions League Knockout Stages

Pakhtakor secured their place in the last 16 of the Asian Champions League on Monday, achieving a 2-1 victory over Qatar’s Al-Sadd in Tashkent, while Al-Gharafa’s 4-2 defeat against Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli confirmed the Uzbek team’s advancement to the next round.

In contrast, the qualification hopes of Persepolis are in jeopardy following a 0-0 stalemate in Tehran against an Al Nassr side absent Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Iranians climbing to eighth position ahead of Tuesday’s final league phase matches.

Should Esteghlal earn a draw against Qatar’s Al Rayyan on Tuesday—which has already secured progression following Monday’s results—they would advance to the knockout stages at the expense of their fierce cross-town rivals.

The top eight finishers from both West and East Asia will move forward to the last 16, facing off over two legs in March for the subsequent phase. Quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final are slated to be held centrally in Saudi Arabia during April and May.

Pakhtakor had struggled to find the net in their previous seven outings in the competition, managing just two goals. However, striker Brayan Riascos single-handedly doubled that tally, securing his side’s inaugural win of the campaign.

The Colombian put Pedro Moreira’s team ahead against the already-qualified Qataris with a close-range strike in the 18th minute, but Al-Sadd equalised through a penalty converted by Hassan Al-Haydos eight minutes before halftime.

Just eleven minutes into the second half, Riascos found the back of the net again, nodding in after Jonatan Lucca’s free-kick deflected invitingly off the defensive wall.

In Jeddah, Al Ahli had to come from behind after an early penalty by former Real Madrid forward Joselu gave Al-Gharafa the lead, ultimately sending the Qatari side out of contention.

Joselu opened the scoring after six minutes, but Ivan Toney equalised from close range in the 21st minute, followed by Roberto Firmino giving the home side the lead just 13 minutes later.

A mistake by goalkeeper Sergio Rico allowed Galeno’s rising shot to slip through his fingers, handing Al Ahli their third goal just before halftime, while Riyad Mahrez extended the lead with a penalty, followed by a consolation goal from Yacine Brahimi, also from the spot, in the 80th minute.

The victory propelled Al Ahli to the top of the standings, three points ahead of fellow countrymen Al Hilal, who are scheduled to face Al Wasl from the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

Defending champions Al Ain, who had already been eliminated following a prior defeat to Al Rayyan earlier this month, ended their campaign in last place after a 2-0 loss to Iraqi team Al Shorta in Baghdad, marking their sixth defeat.