Syria's Solaiman Solaiman celebrates his goal during the penalty shootout against Tajikistan on Sunday at the Jalan Besar Stadium. AFC photo by Stanley Chou

By Tan Boon Piaw SINGAPORE: Debutants Tajikistan beat 10-man Syria 8-7 in a thrilling penalty shootout to finish third in the AFC U-17 Championship here at Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday.

Full-time ended 2-2 and the deadlock prevailed after extra time despite the addition of one goal each by both sides, leading to the penalty shootout. Substitute Mohammad Ghnis missed his penalty on Syria’s third kick and this proved to be the difference between the two sides. Ghnis ballooned the ball high while Tajikistan converted all five of their penalties to cap a memorable debut in the competition. The rain-soaked first half ended one goal apiece. Tajikistan opened the scoring in the 28th minute in spectacular fashion. Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev tore apart the Syria defence and tried a shot from the narrowest of angles, and his speculative shot caught everyone, including Syria goalkeeper Ahmad Madnia, by surprise as the ball flew into the net. Syria found the equaliser in first half stoppage time. Abdul Alrahman Al Masri’s corner outfoxed the Tajik defenders, and top marksman Mohammad Jaafar, unmarked, planted a powerful header past the outstretched hands of Tajikistan custodian Mirali Murodov, who was given a start by coach Pulod Qodirov contrary to expectations.

The opening 45 minutes were entertaining and both teams, without any pressure, produced an attacking affair with endless moves from both ends. Syria went ahead within four minutes of the restart with a penalty by Solaiman Solaiman. Playmaker Ziad Ajouz’s corner was handled in the box by the disorganised Tajikistan defence and Australian referee Benjamin Williams, without hesitation, pointed to the spot.

Ajouz stepped up to take the kick but Murodov was equal to it. However, the referee ordered a retake after several Tajik players invaded the box before the kick could be taken. Solaiman stepped in to replace Ajouz as the taker and didn’t disappoint.

Tajikistan almost leveled the score in the 65th minute but Farkhod Vasiev’s 20-yard free kick was punched out by Madnia. Tajikistan, however, equalised from the resulting corner.The Syrian defence was to blame for conceding this goal after failing to clear the ball which fell to the feet of the lurking Kurbonali Sobirov, who blasted the ball home from close range. Syria received a blow in the 78th minute with Al Masri getting his marching orders after collecting his second yellow card of the match and thereafter Tajikistan dominated the proceedings. A few minutes later, Madnia denied Tajik hitman Davrondzhon Tukhtasunov by tipping his low shot out and soon after Abdukayum Karabaev missed a golden chance to put the result beyond any doubt when his powerful shot in the area hit the goal post and bounced out, much to the relief of the well beaten Syrian custodian.

In extra time, the under-pressure Syrians, who lost to Yemen in the quarterfinals of the 2002 edition, unexpectedly sneaked ahead in the 93rd minute with the inspirational Mohammad Jaafar scoring his second of the night, with a glancing header off Ajouz’s free kick. The goal took Jaafar’s tally to six over all in the tournament and put him in pole position to wrest the coveted Golden Boot award. Tajikistan never gave up and leveled the score again in the 114th minute through Karabaev and there are no more goals afterwards, leaving the outcome to be decided by spotkicks. Tajik coach Qodirov was delighted with the third-place finish and the manner in which it was achieved by his debutant lads. “I am very proud of them. They made the nation proud by finishing third in our first ever participation. This is a dream come true. Everyone in Tajikistan is in holiday mood now. This shows how happy we are,” said Qodirov. “This achievement also proves that Tajikistan’s football is on the way up and this can’t go unnoticed. We are moving in the right direction and our development work has started to bear fruits.” Syrian coach Mohamed Al Jomaa blamed his goalkeeper for the defeat. “(Goalkeeper) Madnia was certainly not at his best tonight and made a lot of mistakes. But I have to compliment the ever improving Mohammad Jaafar, who gave a good account of himself in this tournament. By scoring six goals, I think he stands a good chance to win the Golden Boot award.”