ZOMIN, Uzbekistan (Interstat) — Navbahor defeated Gazalkent 3-1 Wednesday at Markaziy Stadion, using two first-half goals and a late clincher to secure its first win in this competition. Navbahor improved to 1-0 in the competition and 1-0-2 across all competitions. Gazalkent dropped to 0-1 in the competition and 3-1 overall. The hosts set the tone early, controlled much of the first half and answered Gazalkent’s best spell with a decisive finish in the closing stages. Navbahor’s victory came in its first match in this competition, while Gazalkent suffered its first loss in the competition despite entering with a strong overall record.

Mukhammadali Giyosov opened the scoring in the 26th minute for Navbahor. Joel Kojo doubled the lead in the 32nd minute, giving the home side a 2-0 advantage before halftime. Jasur Jaloliddinov was credited with two assists in the match and helped Navbahor control possession in midfield. Gazalkent’s Umidjon Turgunov was booked in the 33rd minute, Navbahor’s M. Usmonov received a yellow card in the 36th, and Gazalkent’s O. Ibodullayev was booked in the 37th as the first half grew more physical. The two-goal cushion gave Navbahor room to manage the game after the break.

Gazalkent responded after the break when Lazizbek Mirzayev scored in the 52nd minute. Mirzayev played the full 90 minutes and finished with one goal, leading Gazalkent’s attacking effort. Turgunov, who played the full match, provided the assist and also carried a yellow card. The visitors pushed for an equalizer, but Navbahor made adjustments to protect its advantage. Navbahor brought on A. Rakhimzhonov and M. Usmonov in the 62nd minute, while Gazalkent introduced F. Olimov in the 73rd. Gazalkent’s pressure produced the early second-half goal but not a sustained breakthrough.

Navbahor replaced Kojo and Giyosov in the 75th minute after both had scored. Khusain Norchaev then sealed the result in the 81st minute with his goal during a 15-minute appearance. S. Mirsaidov entered for Navbahor in the 81st minute, and S. Sadirdjanov came on for Gazalkent in the 86th. Navbahor’s late goal ended Gazalkent’s hopes of a comeback and capped a performance built on early pressure and timely finishing. The home side managed the final stages without conceding again. The final margin reflected Navbahor’s finishing in key moments.

In the order of key performances, Mirzayev’s 90-minute, one-goal outing was the most important for Gazalkent. Giyosov recorded one goal in 75 minutes for Navbahor. Jaloliddinov played 90 minutes and recorded two assists. Kojo scored once in 75 minutes. Norchaev scored in 15 minutes. Turgunov played 90 minutes, provided one assist and received a yellow card. Navbahor’s scoring balance and Jaloliddinov’s passing helped offset Gazalkent’s response after halftime.

Navbahor’s win followed a 1-1 draw with Pakhtakor on Saturday and a 2-2 draw at OKMK on Sunday in previous matches. Gazalkent entered after a 2-1 home win over Shortan Guzor on Saturday, a 2-1 win at Jayxun on Monday, and a 3-2 home win over Pakhtakor II on Thursday. The result gave Navbahor a clean start in this competition while handing Gazalkent its first loss in the competition. Gazalkent’s overall record remained above .500, but the visitors could not carry their recent scoring form into the second half at Markaziy Stadion. Navbahor’s overall record now includes one win and two draws, while Gazalkent’s overall mark stands at three wins and one loss. Gazalkent had won its previous three overall matches before this defeat. Navbahor, meanwhile, had drawn each of its previous two overall matches before breaking through at home.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Gazalkent 2, Navbahor 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Navbahor with a 91.6 percent probability to win. The total score of 4 went under the over/under line of 3.5.