Action from the Tajikistan-Korea Republic encounter. AFC photo by Stanely Chou

By Tan Boon Piaw

SINGAPORE: Central Asian surprise package Tajikistan continued their miraculous run in the AFC U-17 Championship by edging Korea Republic 1-0 to qualify for the last four here at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Monday. A lucky free kick by Farkhod Vasiev in the closing minutes, proved to be the difference between the two evenly matched sides. With this win, first-time wonders Tajikistan have also qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the Korea Republic next year.

“To achieve the dream of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in our first try, I am very proud of my players and I can’t ask for more,” said an elated Tajik coach Pulod Qodirov immediately after the match. Both teams played an open and entertaining game as predicted. Korea Republic was the better team in the first half, but thanks to the marvellous performance of Tajikistan goalkeeper Mirali Murodov, they couldn’t break the deadlock. The match spurred to life in the 42nd minute with Cho Beom Seok testing Murodov with a left footed blast, but the latter stood firm and instinctively punched the ball out. In first half added time, it was Yoon Bitgaram’s turn to try his luck. But once again, Murodov proved his class with a brilliant point-blank save on Bitgaram’s glancing header. Tajikistan had their first real attack in the 52nd minute with top gun Davrondzhon Tukhtasunov, who has four goals in his credit, tried a powerful shot towards the opponent’s goal, but Korea Republic custodian Kim Tae Hong was equal to the task. The physically smaller Koreans found it hard to penetrate the Tajik’s defensive wall, and their attacks were limited to long range shots, but they were mainly off target. On the other hand, Tajikistan also found it hard to break down the speedy and determined Korea Republic defence. Tajikistan’s patience paid off ten minutes from time. Farkhod Vasiev fired a 30-yard free kick, the ball hit the Korean wall and was deflected past the wrong footed Kim Tae Hong into the net.

Tajikistan tightened up their defence and survived a ferocious onslaught to claim a famous and memorable win.

Qodirov was full of praise for his acrobatic goalkeeper Murodov. “I must give my full compliments to Murodov…he was the man of the match today.” “We have been consistent since day one. And for the rest of the tournament, we will try our best to get the best result.” Korea coach Park Kyung Hoon was philosophical about the defeat. “Winning and losing is part and parcel of the game. I am satisfied with the lads’ performance. We still have a long way to go before next year’s FIFA World Cup. I am sure we will be a better team by then.”