Uzbekistan League pacesetters and defending champions Pakhtakor overcame Navbahor 2-1 to keep their seven-point lead in the standings after 25th round while second-placed Kuruvchi sidelined Kyzylkum 2-0.

Ilhom Suyunov gave Pakhtakor the lead in the 36th minute only to see Vladimir Baranov restore the parity in the 65th minute. Zaynitdin Tadjiyev scored the match-winner for Pakhtakor in the 79th minute.

Shavkat Salomov (80) and Ilhom Mumindjanov (82) were on target for Kuruvchi. Third-placed Mashal defeated Nasaf 4-1, thanks to a hat-trick from Viktor Klishnin (5, 32, 49) and a goal from Shukhrat Mirkholdirshaev (65). Ruzikul Berdiev scored Nasaf’s only goal in the 66th minute.

In other matches, Neftchi downed Metallurg 2-1, Traktor outclassed Andijan 3-1, Bukhoro sidelined Shurtan 1-0, Samarqand held by Tupalang 1-1 and Lokomotiv played a goalless draw with Vobkent.


STANDINGS: 1. Pakhtakor 69, 2. Kuruvchi 62, 3. Mashal 60, 4. Neftchi 54, 5. Samarqand 41.