Uzbekistan Super League Matchweek 22 Digest: Neftchi Stay Top, Pakhtakor Keep the Pressure On

Matchweek 22 is not quite finished yet, but the main story is already clear: the title race remains extremely tight. Neftchi came through a difficult trip to Tashkent and stayed top, Pakhtakor answered with a win of their own to remain just two points behind, while Nasaf produced the biggest scoreline of the round in Andijan. With one fixture still to play, the latest football markets are available on 888STARZ.

Lokomotiv 0-1 Neftchi: Marusic keeps the leaders on top

This looked like one of Neftchi’s toughest tests of the round.

They travelled to face the fourth-placed side knowing that dropped points could immediately hand the initiative to Pakhtakor.

The leaders held firm.

Zoran Marusic scored the only goal in the 62nd minute, and that was enough for a 1-0 win.

No rout. No easy night. Just three very valuable points away from home.

Neftchi now have 51 points from 22 matches and remain top, two clear of Pakhtakor.

At this stage of a title race, these narrow 1-0 wins can matter more than the spectacular ones.

Mash’al 1-2 Pakhtakor: Flamarion keeps the pressure on

Pakhtakor knew the situation perfectly well: dropping points against the bottom side was not an option.

The first half ended goalless, but Flamarion took control after the break.

The Brazilian scored in the 51st minute and struck again in the 77th. Mash’al pulled one back through Khumoyun Murtazoev from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time, but it came too late.

Pakhtakor left with a 2-1 win.

They now have 49 points from 22 matches, leaving just two points between the top two.

Neftchi passed their difficult away test. Pakhtakor answered immediately. The title race heads into the next round with almost nothing between them.

Andijan 1-4 Nasaf: four goals and a goalkeeper on the scoresheet

The most unusual game of the round came in Andijan.

It actually started well for the hosts, with Rustam Turdimurodov converting a penalty in the 21st minute.

From there, Nasaf took over.

Adenis Shala equalised before half-time, Abbos Gulomov put the visitors ahead in the 53rd minute, and then came the moment of the round.

In the 81st minute, goalkeeper Abduvokhid Nematov stepped up to take a penalty — and scored.

Yusuf Otubanjo added a fourth late on to complete a 4-1 win.

Nasaf moved onto 34 points and climbed back towards the group fighting just behind the leading sides.

But this match will be remembered for something else. A goalkeeper scoring from the spot is enough to make any round-up.

Two More Results Worth Noting

Bunyodkor 2-1 Bukhara

Bunyodkor badly needed this one.

They came into the round on an 11-match losing streak.

That run is finally over.

Shakhzodjon Nematjonov opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Temur Mamasiddikov equalised, but Abdulhamid Ikromov restored Bunyodkor’s lead before half-time.

The 2-1 win changes little in the title race, but it could mean a lot at the other end of the table.

Navbahor 3-2 Dinamo Samarkand

One of the most entertaining games of the round was played back on September 17.

Dinamo led twice, first through Aziz Amonov and then Jaloliddin Jumaboev.

Navbahor responded both times before scoring a third before half-time. Shohrukh Abdurakhmonov was the key man with two goals.

The 3-2 win took Navbahor to 44 points, keeping them third.

Matchweek 22 Results

Surkhon beat Kokand-1912 thanks to an early Tornike Dzebniauri goal, while AGMK came from behind to win 2-1 away at Sogdiana.

The final game of Matchweek 22 is Khorezm vs Qizilqum on September 21 at 20:15, so it is still too early to draw a full line under the round.

At the top, however, the picture is already clear: Neftchi 51, Pakhtakor 49, Navbahor 44.

The two main title contenders both won, so the gap stays exactly where it was.

There is still plenty of football left, but right now one mistake from either of the top two could be enough to flip first place.