Uzbekistan’s FC Banyodkor and India’s Sri Gokulam Kerala will aim to sign off their AFC Women’s Club Championship 2021 campaign in style at the Aqaba Development Corporate Stadium in Jordan on Saturday.
Both the teams are out of the race for the title, Bunyodkor have three points while Gokulam Kerala are yet to register a point.
Banyodkor suffered a setback on Matchday One when they lost 2–1 to Shahdari Sirjan of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Shehardari Sirjan scored in either half through Roghaiyeh Jalal Nasab and Zahra Alizadeh, before Dildora Nozimova consoled late from the penalty spot.
Despite injuring star player Lyudmila Karachik for the remainder of his campaign, Bunyodkor came out in the last minute of the game against Jordan’s Amman club with a Nozimova penalty to give them the win.
However, with Shehardari Sirjan’s six points and a better one-off record, Banyodakor have no chance of winning the title, even if they beat Gokulam Kerala on Saturday.
Bunyodkor head coach Elmira Ghulamova wants her team to finish on a higher level against the Indian Women’s League champions and will rely on Aziza Norboeva and Ergasheva Nozimakhon to see them through.
“Today the team’s mental and physical condition is excellent. We arranged a seaside trip for the team tomorrow as an emotional exercise. Everyone is ready to win the last game of the tournament,” said Ghulamova.
“We have been telling the players that we have to always do our best. In addition to participating in domestic leagues, we are preparing for this competition game by game.
“Gokulam Kerala is a fast-paced team that relies heavily on team play. The team understands each other very well. They are good in defense as well as attack. We have to play stronger than ever to beat this team.”
Gokulam Kerala got off to a positive start in their opener against Amman club, taking a 1-0 lead at half-time through a brilliant strike from Elshadai Achempong. However, the Amman club fought back in the second half, scoring three points with goals from Mesa Jabrah and Samia Oni.
Gokulam Kerala held its own against Shahardari Sirjan on the second day of the match, but disaster struck in the 65th minute when goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan received her marching orders after bringing Zahra Alizadeh just above the field.
The balance then went in Shehrdari Sirjan’s favor as he scored the winning goal via an Afsane Chatranoor free-kick.
Barring the suspended Chauhan, head coach Priya PV will field her best and her eyes are nothing short of a win against the Uzbekistan champions.
Priya said, ‘The players are a little disappointed after the match. “We have a good team but luck did not favor us. We both could have won the match if we hadn’t made silly mistakes. The players want to win the final match and they are determined about it.”
“Bunyodkor are an excellent team in every department, they have good players. I think he has played beautifully so far and has a good attacking game.
“We need to convert our chances in the last third. It needs to improve and we need to score more goals.”
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