Al Wakrah went down fighting 0-1 to Navbahor of Uzbekistan in the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League play-off at the Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday.

Navbahor thus qualified for the group stage, the draw for which will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023.

It may be noted that Al Wakrah, who made it to the play-off by virtue of having finished fourth in the 2022-2023 season league championship with 39 points behind champions Al Duhail, Al Arabi and Al Sadd in that order, were seeking their first entry into the group stage of Asia’s premier tournament.

Doniyor Abdumannopov scored the all-important goal in the 98th minute of the match that went into extra time after the teams were locked goalless at the end of regular time.

The match witnessed the expulsion of Al Wakrah substitute Khaled Shurrab in the 80th minute.

Both teams started strongly and Al Wakrah had an edge in the midfield.

The 29th minute saw defender Lucas Mendez’s shot being saved by the Navbahor goalkeeper before the defence cleared the ball conceding a corner kick.

Hamdi Fathi almost opened the scoring for Al Wakrah in the last minute of first half with a shot from outside the penalty area, but once again the Uzbek goalkeeper turned it away for a corner kick.

In the second half, Al Wakrah’s offensive attempts continued, especially through set-pieces, one of which almost succeeded in the 54th minute, but the rival goalkeeper thwarted it twice.

Al Wakrah kept pressing hard and Abdulghani Munir almost gave his team the lead in the 87th minute, but his shot went slightly over the crossbar.

Navbahor finally broke the deadlock in the first half of extra time through Doniyor with a shot from inside the penalty area.

Al Wakrah players desperately sought an equalizer, but the Uzbek side’s defence held firm.