FC Lochin secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over PFC Terdu in the Uzbekistan Pro League on Monday evening, climbing the early-season standings with a determined home performance at their stadium in Tashkent.

The match, played under the lights with a 20:30 kickoff, saw Lochin take control in the first half before surviving a late Terdu rally. The result extends Lochin's unbeaten run at home and gives their promotion ambitions a timely boost in a competitive second-tier campaign.

First-half breakthrough

Lochin started brightly, pressing high and forcing Terdu into early mistakes. Their persistence paid off in the 23rd minute when midfielder Jasur Alimov latched onto a threaded pass inside the box and slotted the ball past Terdu goalkeeper Rustam Karimov. The home side doubled their advantage just before the interval, with striker Bekzod Khudoyberdiev rising highest to meet a corner and powering a header into the far corner.

Terdu, who had arrived with a compact defensive shape, struggled to contain Lochin's width. The home full-backs pushed forward relentlessly, and the midfield duo of Alimov and Sardor Yuldashev controlled the tempo throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Terdu's response and late pressure

The visitors emerged after the break with renewed energy, pushing Lochin deeper into their own half. Terdu's captain, veteran midfielder Aziz Rakhimov, began to find more space between the lines, and his 67th-minute strike from the edge of the area brought the score back to 2-1.

That goal changed the complexion of the contest. Terdu committed men forward and created several half-chances in the final twenty minutes. Lochin goalkeeper Akmal Toshpulatov made two sharp saves to preserve the lead, including a reflex stop from a deflected shot in the 81st minute. Lochin also had a golden opportunity to seal the game on the counter-attack, but substitute Mirjalol Kholdorov fired wide with only the keeper to beat.

Standout players

• Bekzod Khudoyberdiev (Lochin) – The striker was a constant threat in the air and scored the decisive second goal.
• Jasur Alimov (Lochin) – Opened the scoring and dictated play from central midfield.
• Aziz Rakhimov (Terdu) – Scored a stunning consolation goal and led his side's fightback admirably.

Match impact and league context

The win lifts FC Lochin into the upper half of the Uzbekistan Pro League table, keeping them within touching distance of the promotion places. For PFC Terdu, the defeat is a setback after a promising start, leaving them in mid-table with work to do in their next home fixtures.

Lochin's strong defensive organisation at set pieces and their efficiency in front of goal proved decisive. Head coach Timur Isakov will be pleased with the three points but may urge his players to manage leads more calmly after Terdu's second-half surge.

The two sides are set to meet again in the reverse fixture later in the season, where Terdu will look to avenge this narrow defeat on home soil.