Muntari scores for Eljaish in defeat to Bunyodkor

Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Muntari scored the consolation for Qatari side Eljaish in their 2-1 defeat against Bunyodkor in the Asian Asian Football Champions League.

Muntari, recently sold to the Qatari side by ex-Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey, struck early in the second half to cancel out Sergii Symonenko’s early goal.

But Rashidov’s late volley ensured that it will be the Uzbekistan champions who will be playing in the Round of 16 next month.

Having started the game three points behind Eljaish in Group B, Bunyodkor began brightly and they took the lead in the 13th minute.

Sardor Sabirkhodjaev’s free-kick was dropped by Eljaish goalkeeper Ahmed Sofyan after he collided with one of his defenders.

Bakhodir Pardaev picked up the loose ball and although his shot was blocked by an El Jaish defender, Symonenko was able to turn it in from close range.

Eljaish improved after the break and they got back on level terms in the 52nd minute.

A long ball from the back was chested down by Muntari and volleyed a powerful shot from just inside the area past goalkeeper Akbar Turaev despite the attention of Hayrulla Karimov and Sergii Symonenko.

The Qatari side seemed to be on their way to the last 16 but in a frantic conclusion to the game, Bunyodkor snatched the victory.