AFC - Esteghlal FC and Pakhtakor’s struggles continued after they played to a goalless stalemate in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Monday.
It was a result which suited neither side with Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal moving to four points with Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor one behind with only the top eight teams to advance to the knockout stage.
Esteghlal and Pakhtakor entered the game on the back of disappointing form in the competition with the Iranian side on a run of three consecutive defeats while Pakhtakor were without a win after four matches, leading to a cagey start.
Pakhtakor did improve as the half went on with Doniyor Abdumannopov shooting wide from distance in the 33rd minute before Umar Adhamzoda picked out Khojiakbar Alijonov four minutes later, only for the full-back to slam his shot into the side netting.
It was a first half to forget for Esteghlal with only one attempt registered and striker Gustavo Blanco isolated up front with Jaloliddin Masharipov - who spent seven years with Pakhtakor - unable to combine with the Argentine.
Having seen his side show little improvement in the first 15 minutes of the second half, Esteghlal head coach Pitso Mosimane rang in the changes with Abolfazl Jalali, Amirali Sadeghi, Zobeir Niknafs and Iman Salimi thrown into the mix after the hour mark.
Boosted by the substitutions, Esteghlal came close to taking the lead in the 68th minute when Jalali delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, however, Muhammadhossein Eslami jumped too early and could not make the right connection with the ball.
Esteghlal carved out another opening with four minutes of normal time left but Salimi’s downward header was well caught by Vladimir Nazarov as both teams settled for a point.
Matchday Six next week will see Esteghlal face Al Ahli Saudi FC on Monday while Pakhtakor meet Al Ain FC a day later.