Esteghlal FC, led by coach Pitso Mosimane, faced another disappointing evening in the AFC Champions League, managing only a goalless draw against Pakhtakor FC.

The match, held at the Rashid Stadium in the United Arab Emirates, saw both teams take a cautious approach, leaving little to separate them by the final whistle.

Despite dominating possession, Mosimane’s team struggled to convert their advantage into goals.

The stalemate means Esteghlal FC has now accumulated just four points from five matches in the tournament.

Current Standings and Qualification Hurdles

Esteghlal FC’s struggles have placed them in seventh position in the AFC Champions League West group.

With only the top eight teams from the 12-team group advancing to the Round of 16, the pressure is mounting.

The East group will contribute another eight teams to the next stage, with Al-Hilal Saudi already securing their spot in the Round of 16.

A Glimmer of Hope in the League

Two weeks ago, Mosimane finally celebrated his first league victory with Esteghlal FC.

A narrow 1-0 win over Mes Rafsanjan brought much-needed relief, ending a five-match losing streak.

Teenage forward Abolfazl Zamani emerged as the hero of the day, scoring the decisive goal to secure maximum points and Esteghlal’s first clean sheet of the season.

The victory lifted Esteghlal out of the relegation zone, pushing them to 10th place, four points clear of the drop.

Mosimane’s tactical adjustments were evident, as the team showed increased determination and defensive solidity.

Tough Challenges Under Mosimane’s Leadership

Mosimane’s tenure has been anything but smooth.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach endured a rough start, losing his first three matches, including a 3-1 defeat to Kheybar FC and a 2-0 loss to Tractor FC.

Esteghlal’s woes were further compounded by a 3-0 thrashing from Neymar Jnr’s Al-Hilal in the AFC Champions League.

Defensive frailties and a lack of cutting edge in attack have been the team’s Achilles’ heel.

Over their last three outings, Esteghlal conceded eight goals while managing to score just twice—a glaring indication of areas that need urgent improvement.

What Lies Ahead?

Mosimane faces the daunting task of rebuilding confidence and cohesion across all departments.

Addressing defensive lapses and enhancing offensive sharpness will be critical if Esteghlal hopes to climb the standings and keep their AFC Champions League hopes alive.

The coming matches will test the resilience of both the team and their coach as they fight to turn their season around.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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