Nasaf Qarshi edged Al Kuwait SC 3-2 in a pulsating AFC Champions League Two encounter at the Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium on 5 November 2026, with a late goal settling a contest that swung one way and then the other. The Uzbek side’s ability to strike in transition proved decisive against a home team that twice dragged itself back into the game.

Match overview

Al Kuwait began with the urgency of a side determined to make home advantage count. Their pressing forced Nasaf into early errors, and the breakthrough arrived in the 12th minute when Yousef Al-Sulaiman latched onto a loose ball inside the penalty area and finished low into the corner. The early goal gave the Kuwaiti club confidence, but it also invited Nasaf to sit deeper and attack through quick counters.

Nasaf equalised in the 34th minute through Khusayin Norchaev, who timed his run behind the defence perfectly and converted a measured through ball. The visitors then took control shortly after the interval, scoring a well-worked second in the 58th minute when Jasurbek Jaloliddinov arrived late in the box to side-foot home a cut-back. Al Kuwait responded with character, levelling in the 76th minute through Fahad Al-Harbi, whose first-time strike from the edge of the area beat the goalkeeper.

Just as the match seemed set for a draw, Nasaf found one final moment. Norchaev grabbed his second of the night in the 89th minute, reacting first to a rebound after a save and firing in from close range. The goal silenced the home crowd and sealed a valuable away victory for the Uzbek side.

Key moments

• 12’ – Al Kuwait 1-0: Yousef Al-Sulaiman pounces on a defensive mistake and finishes calmly.
• 34’ – Al Kuwait 1-1: Khusayin Norchaev beats the offside trap and slots past the goalkeeper.
• 58’ – Al Kuwait 1-2: Jasurbek Jaloliddinov converts a low cross after a swift Nasaf counter.
• 76’ – Al Kuwait 2-2: Fahad Al-Harbi equalises with a crisp strike from outside the box.
• 89’ – Al Kuwait 2-3: Norchaev reacts quickest to a rebound to score the winner.

Tactical story

Al Kuwait’s high press worked well in the opening half-hour, but it left space behind the defence for Nasaf’s forwards to exploit. The visitors deliberately conceded possession in harmless areas and looked to release Norchaev and Jaloliddinov on the break. That approach paid off twice in the second half, with Al Kuwait’s back line often caught too high up the pitch.

Nasaf’s midfield also controlled the tempo after the break, slowing the game when they needed to and accelerating through quick vertical passes when Al Kuwait committed numbers forward. Al Kuwait’s response was spirited, and their equaliser came from a moment of individual quality, but they struggled to contain Nasaf’s counter-attacks in the final 15 minutes.

Standout players

Khusayin Norchaev was the match-winner for Nasaf, showing sharp movement and clinical finishing for both of his goals. His ability to drift between centre-backs and attack rebounds made him a constant threat. Jasurbek Jaloliddinov also impressed with his late runs into the box and composed finish for the second goal.

For Al Kuwait, Yousef Al-Sulaiman was the brightest attacking outlet, while Fahad Al-Harbi produced the goal of the night with his equaliser. Nasaf goalkeeper Sanjar Kuvvatov made two important saves in the second half, including the stop that led to the rebound for the winning goal.

What it means

The result strengthens Nasaf Qarshi’s position in the AFC Champions League Two standings and gives them momentum heading into their next continental fixture. For Al Kuwait SC, the defeat is a damaging blow to their hopes of progressing from the group, especially after twice fighting back to level the score. The Kuwaiti side will need to tighten their defensive shape and manage transitions better in their remaining matches.