KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — Ariana Khost defeated Toofan Herat 2–0 while Aino Mina Kandahar and Khurasan Faryab played out a 1–1 draw in Wednesday’s Afghanistan Champions League action in Kabul.
Ariana Khost and Toofan Herat remained goalless through the first half of the eighth match of the sixth season before Ariana found the breakthrough late in the second period.
Jawad Alkozay opened the scoring for Ariana Khost in the 80th minute, putting his side in front as Toofan looked to hold on for a point.
Wares Shirzay then struck in stoppage time to double Ariana’s advantage and complete a 2–0 victory.
Alkozay’s contribution earned him the player-of-the-match award.
The result continued Ariana Khost’s strong start to their first season in the competition. The Khost side had previously defeated Arman FC 3–1, a match in which Alkozay was also among the scorers.
In Wednesday’s other fixture, Khurasan Faryab and Aino Mina Kandahar shared the points after a 1–1 draw.
Sami Yazdani put Khurasan Faryab ahead during the first half before Aino Mina captain Sayed Rauf responded for the Kandahar side.
The teams went into the break level at 1–1 and neither could find a decisive second goal after the restart.
Rauf was named player of the match following his performance for Aino Mina.
The results completed the eighth and ninth matches of the sixth Afghanistan Champions League season.
The competition continues on Friday, when Sorkh Poshan Khafi face Arman FC and Sarsabz Yashlar meet Isteqlal Kabul.
Ten clubs are competing in this season’s championship, with matches being played on a home-and-away basis in Kabul.
