Al Ittihad Overcomes Navbahor, Advances to AFC Champions League Quarter-Final

Two-time champions Al Ittihad have advanced to the AFC Champions League 2023/24 quarter-final after defeating Uzbekistan’s Navbahor 2-1 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Thursday.

The two teams played out a goalless draw in Namangan a week ago, with an unlikely combination of two own goals from strikers Karim Benzema and Toma Tabatadze, separated by an Abderrazak Hamdallah strike, deciding the return leg.

Al Ittihad came close to opening their account on the night after 13 minutes when Fabinho exchanged passes with N’Golo Kante before curling an effort from just outside the penalty area that fizzed just wide off the upright.

Instead, the first goal of the game came at the other end when Jamshid Iskanderov curled a free-kick from the right flank into the Al Ittihad penalty area. Benzema attempted to head it clear but ended up sending it into the back of his own net, giving Navbahor the lead.

The second half saw both teams pushing for a breakthrough. Al Ittihad’s victory seemed uncertain until the dying moments when Toma Tabatadze of Navbahor scored an own goal, granting Al Ittihad a dramatic late winner. Navbahor’s hopes further dwindled as Jovan Dokic received a red card in added time, leaving them with ten men.

With this hard-fought win, Al Ittihad advances to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2019. Their next challenge awaits as they are set to face the winner between arch-rivals Al Hilal or Sepahan in the upcoming round. The stage is set for an electrifying clash as Al Ittihad continues their quest for AFC Champions League glory.