DUSHANBE, March 13 2013, Asia-Plus — Ahmad Al Douni scored a hat-trick as Bahrain’s Al Riffa beat Tajikistan’s Regar-TadAZ 3-0 on Tuesday to post their first win in Group A of the AFC Cup, AFC’s website reports.
With Al Riffa looking to bounce back from last week’s 2-0 defeat by defending champions Kuwait SC, Al Douni opened the scoring after 15 minutes at 20 Years of Independence Tajikistan Stadium in Khujand.
Al Douni added a second on the stroke of half-time before completing his hat-trick eight minutes after the hour mark as Regar failed to build on last week’s 1-1 draw against Safa SC in Lebanon.
“It was an interesting and difficult match, but we were able to win 3-0,” said Al Riffa coach Dzemal Hadziabdic.
“I said before the match that the left side of Regar was weak and we made all our attacks from that side and we were able to achieve an important victory.”
Komil Saidov wasted a chance for Regar-TadAZ after 10 minutes and just five minutes later Al Douni took advantage of a mistake from the home side to open the scoring.
And a minute before half-time another Regar mistake, this time from Jamshed Ismoilov, allowed Al Douni to double Al Riffa’s lead from inside the penalty area.
Regar-TadAZ remained within touching distance until the 68th minute as Al Douni rounded off a swift Al Riffa counterattack to complete his hat-trick.
“This is not only a defeat for Regar-TadAZ, but a defeat for football in Tajikistan. I must apologize to the fans, this is a very important tournament and I made mistakes in selecting the team,” said coach Mahmadjon Habibulloyev.
“The information about our opponents wasn’t enough. Al Riffa’s goalkeeper played very well and I can’t blame only one player as the entire team did not play as expected,” noted Habibulloyev. “Every defeat is a lesson for us and we will remain strong.”
