“Bunyodkor” defeated the principal rival “Pakhtakor” in Tashkent derby in 19th National Football championship opening match.

Bunyodkor – Pakhtakor 2:1 (1:0)
Goal: Rivaldo 18 (1:0), Ristic 69 (2:0), Miladinovic 78 (2:1)
Yellow cards: Rivaldo 18, Akhmedov 56, Ristic 57, Juraev 73
Bunyodkor (Tashkent): Nesterov, Ristic, Gafurov, Haydarov, Ramos, Rivaldo (Melziddinov 89), Denilson (Hasanov 66), Kapadze, Juraev, Ismailov, Djeparov (Karpenko 82)
Pakhtakor (Tashkent): Juraev, Tajiev, Suyunov, Miladinovic, Kletskov, Marcovic (Azizov 70), Akhmedov, Andreev (Sh.Karimov 78), Jadigerov, Gevorkian (Kholmatov 72), Yanush
Referees: R.Ermatov 9,6. А.Rasulov 9,8, R.Ilyasov 9,8. B.Namazov 9,0 (all from Tashkent)
Inspector: V.Valitskiy (Tashkent)
March 14. Tashkent. “Jar” arena. 9 097

Match was very important for both sides, so both rivals paid most attention for saving own goals. But “Bunyodkor” played more attacking football because he played in home arena. Only two really dangerous moments had been happened in first half. And first of them finished with opening goal. On 18 minutes Edson Ramos crossed from right wing, Stevica Ristic, who had his official debut for “Bunyodkor”, won the ball and kicked it to Rivaldo. Riva produced his amazing skills. He passed defender by only feint and brilliantly shot strait in the top corner – 1:0. Next Rivaldo saw the keeper to go a little ahead and tried to kick the ball over him. But Juraev caught the ball on last moment.   

Actually, away team rushed to attack since second half had been kicked-off. On 68-minute “Pakhtakor” took very dangerous free kick, but Nesterov tipped the ball away after Milodinovic powerful shot. But “Bunyodkor” used counter-attacks very effective and one of tem brought “swallows” second goal. Jusaur Hasanov took the ball and passed to Rivaldo. Brazilian star passed to Ristic and he did not miss from very good position – 2:0. Rudulovich side did not stop attacks. Away coach let in two attacking midfielders – Akmal Kholmatov and Sherzod Karimov. Actually, “Pakhtakor” attacks became more dangerous after substations, but “Bunyodkor” continued play counter-attacking football and had several good scoring chances. First Juraev tipped the ball away after Ristic shot and Edson Ramos was unlucky trying to send kicked ball in the net. Next Joao Victor header gone little wide, but referee saw goalkeeper foul and appointed a free kick to “Bunyodkor”. Rivaldo shot wide and the score stayed the same.

“Pakhtakor” regained one goal when it was about ten minutes to go. Ball kicked from the defenders after Boyan Miladinovich free kick on 78-minute and Nesterov was unable to hold kicked ball – 2:1. “Pakhtakor” attacked hard till final whistle blew, but “Bunyodkor” hold winning score. 

So, “swallows” ran ahead their main rival just after one match day played.