January 17, 2024
The finals of the 2023 Asian Cup are currently being held in Qatar, although confusingly in 2024 !
This is the 18th edition of the finals, with 24 nations competing in this one. There are six groups of four teams, with the top two in each group, and the four best third placed sides progressing to the last 16 knockout round.
Qatar are the defending champions, winning the 2019 title in the UAE by beating Japan 3-1 in Abu Dhabi for their first title. Japan have won the title four times, followed by Saudi Arabia and Iran with three titles each.
Tajikistan
Tajikistan are making their first ever appearance in the Asian Cup finals, after winning their qualifying group played in Kyrgyzstan, with victories over Myanmar ( 4-0 ), Singapore ( 1-0 ) and a 0-0 draw with the hosts. Istiqol striker Shervoni Mabatshoev ( 16 caps ) scored three of the goals.
Tajikistan, who are also known as The Crowns or the Persian Lions, are currently 106th in the FIFA world rankings, their highest ever.
These diaries have once reported on football in Tajikistan, with a review in April 2023 of the third round of matches in the 2023 Vysshaya Liga. Istiqlol, from the capital Dushanbe, went on to win the league by 17 points, to make it 12 titles since 2011, including the last 10 championships.
Of the players called up the Asian cup finals, Istiqlol keeper Rustam Yatimov ( 37 caps ) and Regar-TadAZ striker Nuriddin Khamrokulov ( 12 caps ) were given name checks in that Fatbear review.
https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2023/04/review-2023-tajikistan-vysshaya-liga.html
Perhaps the most familiar Tajikistan player to readers of these diaries would be attacker Shamrom Samiev ( 23 caps ), who represented both Torpedo Zhodino and Isloch in Belarus and is now with Milsami-Orhei in Moldova. Midfielder Parvizdzhon Umarbayev ( 48 caps ) is with CSKA 1948 Sofia and defender Vakhdat Khanonov ( 26 caps ) is with Iranian giants Persepolis. 10 of the squad play for Istiqlol, seven play for other Tajik sides, and four play their club football in Uzbekistan.
Record goalscorer Manuchekur Dzhalilov ( 51 caps, 20 goals ) was absent as he had reportedly been recently diagnosed with cancer.
Qatar
Qatar were hosts for the 2022 World Cup but set some kind of unwanted record for a host by losing all three of their group matches, going down 0-2 to Ecuador, 1-3 to Senegal and 0-2 to the Netherlands. The sole goal was scored by Mohammad Muntari, who missed selection for this tournament through injury.
Qatar are currently 58th in the FIFA rankings, with their highest ranking being 42nd in 2021.
All of their 26 man squad play their club football in Qatar. Al-Sadd provided 11 players, with 5 from Al-Duhail, and three each from Al-Wakrah and Al-Gharafa. Their squad is an ageing one, with 11 players over the age of 30, but the squad has benefited from being together a long time due to the preparations for the World Cup.
Forward Akram Afif ( 103 caps, 26 goals ) has had two spells at Belgium side Eupen but is now with Al-Sadd. Winger Almoez Ali ( 105 caps, 51 goals ) had a short spell with Austrian side LASK but is now playing for Al-Duhail.
Captain and midfielder Hassan Al-Haydos has 176 caps and 39 goals, and has spent his entire career at Al-Sadd, and Al-Sadd’s defensive midfielder Boualem Khoukhi has won 113 caps. Al-Rayyan midfielder Addulaziz Hatem has 112 caps to his name.
The Qatar Stars League consists of 12 teams, with Al-Duhail winning the 2022/23 championship for their 8th title. Al-Sadd are the record title holders though with 16, and after 12 games in the 2023/24 season are four points clear at the top with 10 wins in 12 games, with Al-Duhail seemingly out of contention in 6th place 14 points being and having taken just one point in their last six games. Al-Wakrah and Al-Gharafa were in joint second place
Matchday Information
This was the second match for both sides in the Asian Cup, with Qatar recording a comfortable 3-0 victory over Lebanon, with two clinical finishes from Afif and a header from Ali.
Despite a reported 20 shots, Tajikistan were held to a 0-0 draw by higher ranked China. On a different day Alisher Dzhalilov might have claimed a bagful but in the end the Tajiks were grateful for VAR disallowing a goal for China for offside from a corner.
Tajikistan named an unchanged side for today, but Qatar made 5 changes. Al Rawi and Salman came into the defence, and Meshaal, Gaber and Mohammad were selected in midfield. There were no places for captain Al-Haydos and Hatim, who both dropped to the bench, and with striker Yusuf also rested, Ali moved to play upfront alongside Afif.
Today’s game was played in the 68,895 capacity Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, 35 km from the capital Doha, which hosted 9 matches in the 2022 World Cup, including England’s matches against the USA ( 0-0 ), Senegal ( 3-0 ) and France ( 1-2 ). This was to be the first of 4 matches to be held in the stadium in this tournament.
The temperature at the 17.30 local time ( 14.30 UK ) kick-off was 21 degrees after a sunny day.
Qatar were in an all-maroon kit whilst Tajikistan were in a change kit of all white with red trim.
UK TV rights for the AFC Asian Cup are held by Triller TV, who I had never heard of, but with a bit of research on the internet appear to a subscription service charging $7.99 per month or $69.99 per annum, although they offer a 7 day free trial.
Bet365.com, who also live streamed the game, made Qatar 2/5 favourites, with Tajikistan at 15/2 and the draw at 7/2.
Highlights of matches in the AFC Asian Cup are available of www.the-afc.com as well as the AFC Asian Cup YouTube channel.
Match Report
Tajikistan made a good start to the match, winning a free-kick 25 yards out after Shukurov was hauled down whilst making a run towards the Qatar area, but although Panjshanbe’s effort went up and over the wall, it also went comfortably over the bar.
Kamolov was looking lively on the right wing and forced Waad into conceding the first corner of the match in the 7th minute. Safarov’s cross-cum-shot from the right touch line was easily held by Barsham, then Dzhalilov ran onto a long ball, twisted past Salman, and both players then crashed to the floor inside the Qatar penalty area. Japanese referee Kimura gave the decision in favour of the defender, but it looked a case of six of one and half dozen of the other, and could easily have been a penalty to Tajikistan.
Qatar eventually appeared as an attacking force in the 14th minutes when a long ball found Afif on the left but a good tackle from Khanonov stopped the danger. At this stage of the game, Tajikistan had enjoyed 60% of the possession.
Qatar won their first corner in the 16th minute when Safarov put off a cross from Ali, and Afif’s delivery from a short corner routine was punched away by keeper Yatimov under pressure from Ali. When the ball was played back into the area, a weak header was easily saved by the Tajik keeper.
The only goal of the game occurred in controversial fashion in the 17th minute. Soirov had the ball inside the Qatar half but ran into the referee and was obstructed and brought down. The ball fell to Ali, whose incisive through pass put Afif clear on goal, and the Qatar striker casually lifted the ball over the advancing keeper for a smart finish. The Tajikistan players and bench were furious over the decision to award the goal, arguing that as the referee had interfered with play, a drop-ball should have been awarded. The Tajikistan supporters might have with some justification claimed they were literally playing against 12 men. Had Soirov collided with a Qatar player it probably would have been a yellow card but the referee escaped such sanction ! VAR didn’t intervene so the goal stood. 1-0 to Qatar.
Tajikistan looked to immediately hit back and Fathy needed to clear a ball in from the left for a corner, which was played too deep and went off for a Qatar throw. Shukurov then cleverly beat Al Rawi with a flick over the full-back’s head, but Waad was able to intercept the ball played into the penalty area towards Kamolov.
Kamolov then had too much pace for Waad, who clearly pushed the Tajikistan winger to the floor but the referee surprisingly allowed play to continue.
The unappealing aspect to Qatar’s play then surfaced as Ali and Fathy both remonstrated for the referee to show yellow cards after fouls were awarded, when a stronger official would have instead produced cards for the complaining Qataris.
The game’s next controversial moment occurred in the 30th minute. Afif’s free-kick was chipped beyond the far post to be met by Meshaal, whose ball back across goal was put off for a corner by Khanonov. Ali was lying on the floor after an off-the-ball incident and needed treatment for two minutes. Once he had recovered, the referee was then instructed to look at the VAR pitch side monitor.
The replays first revealed that a stray elbow from Safarov had made slight contact with Ali’s chest but the Qatari forward had been holding his face. Subsequent pictures then showed that Ali had his arms around Safarov’s chest and The Tajik’s stray arm had made contact whilst trying to break away from Ali’s grip. After a delay of over 5 minutes, the referee rightly awarded a free-kick to Tajikistan, but it was Safarov rather than Ali who received the yellow card !
Fathy continued the unattractive side to his play by rolling around after a collision with Soirov, and was awarded the free-kick when he had been the one committing the foul.
With 40 minutes played, Kamolov continued to have the beating of the hapless Waad, but his cross was headed away by Salman before it could reach the advancing Nazarov.
At other end Afif was found inside the Tajikistan area but Khanonov again produced a good tackle. Afif was by some distance looking Qatar’s best player and made a pacy run down the left touchline to win a throw-in deep inside the Tajikistan half. Shortly after, Yatimov was unable to hold Afif’s shot from just inside the area on the left-hand side, and the ball fell to the feet of Ali three yards out. It looked like he must score, but Dzhurabayev made a tremendous stop on the line to prevent a second goal for the hosts.
As the first half entered the first of 8 added minutes signalled, Fathy made a nasty challenge on Umarbayev and was shown a yellow card. It was reckless and out of control but VAR didn’t intervene to upgrade to a red as it probably would have been in the English Premier League.
In the fourth added minute Kamolov beat Waad and Fathi, but his left-footed effort from just inside the Qatar area was wildly blazed high and wide from a good position. Centre-back Khanonov then made a break from inside his own half, received a return pass from Kamolov, but good defending from Mendes conceded a corner.
At the other end, Ali showed good skill to create space on the right wing to get a cross in, but Dzhurabayev was able to head away from the centre of the 6 yard line.
There was still time for Fathy to roll on the floor again, perhaps he loves the lush grass in the Al-Bayt Stadium, but the last action of the half saw Tajikistan give the ball away whilst trying to play out from the back, and Gaber found Afif, but the shot from just outside the area fizzed narrowly over the bar.
Nine added minutes were actually played and Tajikistan could have considered themselves unlucky to be a goal behind at the break given the controversy over the goal, but they could have also conceded two other goals from defensive errors. Although they have looked comfortable on the ball in midfield, and Kamolov had the beating of Waad every time, they needed a cutting edge up front.
Qatar had looked efficient but cynical, and reliant on the Mo Salah like Afif, both in looks and style of play, to create something for them.
Qatar nearly gifted a goal to their opponents three minutes into the second half, when substitute Al Ganehi’s awful back pass was intercepted by Dzhalilov, who managed to poke the ball past the on-rushing keeper, but Tajik forward was unable to keep the ball in play as Mendes covered.
In the 52nd minute Kamolov again beat the ever increasing weak-link Waad down the right but Al Rawi was in position to head the cross away to deny Dzhalilov a simple finish. The visitors were enjoying a good spell, and the short corner was crossed towards the 6 yard line, where another good defensive header cleared the danger.
Afif was again to the fore for Qatar, finding space on the left, and after the ball was played across the 18 yard line, Al Ganehi shot high from a good position.
Salman then hauled Samiev to the floor but then went down himself pretending to be injured.
After 57 minutes, Afif spun away from three Tajikistan markers and played a through pass to Ali who was just onside 10 yards out. Yatimov was quickly off his line to reduce the angle and made the block.
Waad finally received a long overdue yellow card for yet another foul on Kamorov, after again being caught out of position and beaten for pace.
Samiev then did well to get to the by-line down the right and his pull-back found Dzhalilov, who despite falling, managed to get a shot away, but Barsham saved low at his near post. At this stage, it was 7-1 to Tajikistan on corners, and Barsham’s punch away was unconvincing. However, Afif was able to launch a lightning counter attack, but an awful pass with the outside of his right foot went off for a corner rather putting Ali clear.
Qatar won their second corner, but Afif’s ball at the short corner was again poor and cleared. However, Afif showed his vision with a clever left-footed volley to find Ali on the left and a blocked clearance resulted in another corner for Qatar.
Afif’s touch again let him down with another overhit pass in the direction of Ali resulting in a goal-kick.
Another controversial moment occurred in the 72th minute. Kamorov was again fouled by Waad but as he fell, his foot struck Al Ganehi in the chest. The Qatari went down holding his face, and the referee initially showed Kamorov a yellow card. However, VAR intervened and the replay showed that the contact was far from accidental, and the card was rightly upgraded to red. However, no action was taken against Waad for the foul, or for the fact he stood over the prone Kamolov with his arm ready to throw a punch and pulling back half-way through. The Qatar remained on the pitch and was very lucky to still be there.
The game fizzled out after Tajikistan had been reduced to 10, and despite several substitutions they were unable to threaten again. Qatar were mostly content to hold onto their one goal lead, although Al Ganehi went rolling on the floor looking for a free-kick but after the referee allowed play to continue and the ball came back near to him, Al Ganehi magically leapt to his feet and rejoined the play.
11 added minutes were shown, which in reality became 12, which meant the match lasted for 111 minutes.
Afif had a golden chance to add a second but his header when in acres of space was an easy save for Yatimov whereas the chance should have been buried.
At the final whistle, Qatar had qualified for the last 16 after two wins. A win for Tajikistan over Lebanon in their final game would see them through, as might a draw depending on China’s result against Qatar. However, none of Tajikistan, Lebanon or China had scored a goal so far in their two matches.
Despite the win, I wasn’t impressed by Qatar who on this evidence are overly reliant on Afif. Their cynical attempts to con the referee eg pretending to be hit in the face when contact was elsewhere, faking injuries, rolling around on the floor to try and win free-kicks and demanding the referee issue yellow cards, also left a nasty taste in my mouth so I won’t be cheering them on during the rest of the tournament.
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KWg4Knp4-M
Qatar : Barsham – Al Rawi, Salman, Mendes, Waad – Meshaal ( Al Haydos ), Fathy ( Khoukhi ), Gaber ( Pedro ), Mohammad ( Al Ganehi ) - Ali, Afif
Tajikistan : Yatimov – Safarov, Khanonov, Dzhurabayev, Nazarov ( Ismalov )– Umarbayev ( Mabatshoev ), Shukurov ( Ayni ), Panjshanbe – Kamolov, Soirov ( Samiev ), Dzhalilov ( Khamrokulov )
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