Kyrgyz side Muras United advanced to the semifinals of the AFC Challenge League with a convincing 3-0 win over Lebanese club Al-Ansar.
The quarterfinal match took place at the Dolon Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek. Muras United effectively secured control early, opening the scoring in the 41st minute when Denis Yaskovich finished a pass from Erbol Atabaev. In added time of the first half (45+1), Alimardon Shukurov doubled the lead with an assist from Alimardon Koshikhonov. The final goal came in the 73rd minute from Andriy Batsula, again assisted by Atabaev.
Al-Ansar’s head coach, Dragan Jovanović, congratulated Muras United on the victory but sharply criticized the referee.
“I congratulate Muras United on the win, but I’m very angry. After two fouls against us, we conceded two goals. I may not be allowed to say this, and the federation might punish me, but I can’t stay silent about the refereeing,” Jovanović said.
He singled out a key moment near the end of the first half: “Around the 38–40th minute, a foul on our player wasn’t called, which led to a counterattack and a goal. That moment may have decided the match.”
In the semifinals, Muras United will face Al-Kuwait on April 22. If successful, the Kyrgyz side could host the final, potentially against Cambodian club Svay Rieng.
Muras United’s path this season mirrors that of Turkmenistan’s Arkadag, which last season overcame a Kuwaiti team in the semifinals before defeating Svay Rieng in the final.