Ten-man Pakhtakor pulled off a rousing comeback from two goals down to record a 2-2 draw at Al Gharafa in Group D of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.
The game sparked into life in the second half as Younis Mahmoud and Araujo gave Al Gharafa a two-goal lead.
Pakhtakor battled back and Asror Alikulov reduced the deficit but their hopes of scoring an equaliser were dealt a blow minutes later as Komollddin Tadjiev was sent off.
But Farhod Tadjiyev equalised late on to steal a share of the spoils, and Al Gharafa's misery was added to as Mohd Eissa was given his marching orders two minutes from full time.
The hosts started the brighter and could have taken the lead in the sixth minute but Pakhtakor goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov reacted well to punch Otman El Assas' free-kick clear.
Pakhtakor had to wait until the 15th minute for their first sight of goal.
Darko Markovic brought the ball down well on the edge of the area but saw his shot fly narrowly wide of the post.
Al Gharafa were almost gifted the lead nine minutes from the end of an uneventful first half as Mahmoud's shot deflected off of Anzur Ismailov's head before sailing inches wide of the post.
The hosts finally took a deserved lead just before the hour mark.
Mahmoud nipped smartly into the box and El Assas lofted the ball into his path for the striker to volley into the back of the net.
Pakhtakor battled bravely to get back into the match but could not find the target and fell further behind in the 65th minute as Araujo shrugged off the visitors' defence before slotting the ball home.
But Al Gharafa's lead was halved just three minutes later when Pakhtakor captain Asror Alikulov swept home a rebound from inside the box.
The visitors' joy was shortlived, however, as seconds later Komollddin Tadjiev brought down Araujo when he was clear through on goal and the referee instantly brandished a red card.
But Pakhtakor did not give up and snatched an equaliser in the closing stages of the game.
Substitute Zaynitdin Tadjiyev powered his way into the box before unleashing a shot that rebounded off the post and a home defender before falling nicely into the path of fellow sub Farhod Tadjiyev to fire home.
Al Gharafa woes were added to as Mohd Eissa was dismissed for a kick on Farhod Tadjiyev with two minutes remaining.
Pakhtakor battled back and Asror Alikulov reduced the deficit but their hopes of scoring an equaliser were dealt a blow minutes later as Komollddin Tadjiev was sent off.
But Farhod Tadjiyev equalised late on to steal a share of the spoils, and Al Gharafa's misery was added to as Mohd Eissa was given his marching orders two minutes from full time.
The hosts started the brighter and could have taken the lead in the sixth minute but Pakhtakor goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov reacted well to punch Otman El Assas' free-kick clear.
Pakhtakor had to wait until the 15th minute for their first sight of goal.
Darko Markovic brought the ball down well on the edge of the area but saw his shot fly narrowly wide of the post.
Al Gharafa were almost gifted the lead nine minutes from the end of an uneventful first half as Mahmoud's shot deflected off of Anzur Ismailov's head before sailing inches wide of the post.
The hosts finally took a deserved lead just before the hour mark.
Mahmoud nipped smartly into the box and El Assas lofted the ball into his path for the striker to volley into the back of the net.
Pakhtakor battled bravely to get back into the match but could not find the target and fell further behind in the 65th minute as Araujo shrugged off the visitors' defence before slotting the ball home.
But Al Gharafa's lead was halved just three minutes later when Pakhtakor captain Asror Alikulov swept home a rebound from inside the box.
The visitors' joy was shortlived, however, as seconds later Komollddin Tadjiev brought down Araujo when he was clear through on goal and the referee instantly brandished a red card.
But Pakhtakor did not give up and snatched an equaliser in the closing stages of the game.
Substitute Zaynitdin Tadjiyev powered his way into the box before unleashing a shot that rebounded off the post and a home defender before falling nicely into the path of fellow sub Farhod Tadjiyev to fire home.
Al Gharafa woes were added to as Mohd Eissa was dismissed for a kick on Farhod Tadjiyev with two minutes remaining.
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
Socceroos Abroad: ACL kicks off as European seasons start coming to a close
Sydney FC exit Asian Champions League after another loss
