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2010 AFC Challenge Cup: Semi-Finals Preview
The tournament has reached it's penultimate stage...
23-Feb-2010 11:25:00 PM
By Amoy Ghoshal
Tajikistan – Turkmenistan
Two Central Asian neighbours clash in the first semi-final as Group A winners Tajikistan take on Group B runners-up Turkmenistan.
Tajikistan has featured in each of the two previous AFC Challenge Cup finals so a win in this game will make it three in a row. Their chances of making the semis were not looking that bright after losing to Bangladesh in the opener but successive wins over Sri Lanka and Myanmar helped them qualify as group winners. The result against Bangladesh was clearly one bad day because they showed sheer class in their next two matches and in the end progressed to the semis quite convincingly. Veteran striker Yusuf Rabiev has come good when it has mattered while Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev has been in excellent form and will be one of the key players in this tie. Tajikistan are no doubt the most successful team in the history of this competition but coach Pulod Kodirov and and his players will only settle for the winners’ medal as they want to play in the Asia Cup.
Turkmenistan have probably been the most organized team in the competition as they have let in just one goal and that too didn’t come from open play. The 1-1 draw with DPR Korea laid the foundation for a successful group stage as they followed that result with two hard fought wins over defending champions India and neighbours Kyrgyzstan. It is true that they are not the most attractive teams to watch but they certainly know how to defend and are very difficult to break down. Turkmenistan are very strong on the set pieces and possess two matchwinning strikers in Mamedaly Karadanov and Berdy Shamuradov so even their attack cannot be underestimated. The young Turkmen certainly have the potential to go all the way but this probably is their toughest test since their stalemate against the Koreans.
The two sides met in the group stage in 2008 and the game finished all square with both sets of players struggling to cope with the hot and humid conditions of Hyderabad. They will face a similar challenge in this game also and the fact that game takes place in the afternoon will make it tougher for the players. So both coaches have to be very careful with their tactics and the substitutes will also play a key role.
Turkmenistan are placed fourteen places above Tajikistan in the FIFA rankings and have probably looked the better of the two in this competition. But things seem to click for Tajikistan in the AFC Challenge Cup and their semi-final win over DPR Korea in 2008 is a proof of that. So neither side really holds an edge and it promises to be a very close contest. Tajikistan failed at the last hurdle two years ago so they will be determined to appear in the final yet again while Turkmenistan will be looking to prove that their good performance in the group stage wasn’t a fluke. Both sides know each other really well so this all Central Asian semi-final is likely to go down the wire.
DPR Korea – Myanmar
The second semi-final sees two losing semi-finalists from the last edition go head to head as Group B winners DPR Korea face Group A runners-up Myanmar.
On paper, there can be only one winner in this game as World Cuppers DPR Korea are placed 56 places above Myanmar in the FIFA rankings. The Koreans started with a come from behind draw against Turkmenistan but followed that with two convincing wins in which they scored seven and didn’t concede any goal to qualify for the last four as group winners. It is not their full strength squad by any means but the second string has shown enough quality to suggest that they are very much the favourites to not only win this semi but also the competition. They did struggle to cope with the weather initally but as promised by coach Jo Tong-sop the Koreans have adapted to the alien conditions and now are hungry to finish the job and qualify for the 2011 Asia Cup. Attacking midfielder Pak Song Chol and striker Ryang Yong Gi have been the two standout performers but going by there is plenty of strength in depth in the rest of the squad also, which has allowed coach Jo to keep his players fresh. The Koreans are the overwhelming favourites but they did falter at this stage in 2008 so the players cannot be complacent.
Myanmar have done extremely well to reach the last four but will no doubt be the underdogs for this game. A 4-0 thrashing of hosts Sri Lanka followed by a hard fought 2-1 win over 2010 South Asian Games gold medalists Bangladesh virtually guaranteed their place in the semis so even a 0-3 defeat at the hands of Tajikistan didn’t eliminate them from the competition. However that result made them qualify as group runners-up thus they couldn’t avoid mighty DPR Korea. But coach Tin Myint Aung isn’t intimidated to face the Koreans and has demanded a strong performance from his players. Much would depend on the likes of striker Yan Paing and skipper Myon Min Tun as they are two of the most talented and experienced players in the squad. But of course what Myanmar really need is a complete team performance and also bit of luck which they did not have two years ago when they narrowly lost at this stage to eventual champions India. The South East Asian nation will be determined to cause a major upset and get one step closer to the 2011 Asia Cup.
DPR Korea do not have any injuries or suspensions and thanks to the squad rotation in the group stage coach Jo can be sure that every player will be ready to their job if required. Meanwhile, Myanmar will be glad to welcome back striker Yan Paing who missed the game against Tajikistan due to suspension.
The two teams met in the third place playoff in 2008 with DPR Korea comfortably winning the game 4-0. A similar scoreline is possible in this game also if the Koreans play to their full potential but if they do have an off day there is every chance of an upset. It will be interesting to see how Myanmar approach this game as their strength lies in attack but since they are taking on a much superior opposition coach Aung might be tempted to opt for a defensive strategy. With the possibility of extra time and penalties, fitness will also play an important factor for both sides.
DPR Korea are expected to reach the final comfortably but Myanmar also want to fight for their football crazy population so we can expect an intriguing contest.
Two Central Asian neighbours clash in the first semi-final as Group A winners Tajikistan take on Group B runners-up Turkmenistan.
Tajikistan has featured in each of the two previous AFC Challenge Cup finals so a win in this game will make it three in a row. Their chances of making the semis were not looking that bright after losing to Bangladesh in the opener but successive wins over Sri Lanka and Myanmar helped them qualify as group winners. The result against Bangladesh was clearly one bad day because they showed sheer class in their next two matches and in the end progressed to the semis quite convincingly. Veteran striker Yusuf Rabiev has come good when it has mattered while Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev has been in excellent form and will be one of the key players in this tie. Tajikistan are no doubt the most successful team in the history of this competition but coach Pulod Kodirov and and his players will only settle for the winners’ medal as they want to play in the Asia Cup.
Turkmenistan have probably been the most organized team in the competition as they have let in just one goal and that too didn’t come from open play. The 1-1 draw with DPR Korea laid the foundation for a successful group stage as they followed that result with two hard fought wins over defending champions India and neighbours Kyrgyzstan. It is true that they are not the most attractive teams to watch but they certainly know how to defend and are very difficult to break down. Turkmenistan are very strong on the set pieces and possess two matchwinning strikers in Mamedaly Karadanov and Berdy Shamuradov so even their attack cannot be underestimated. The young Turkmen certainly have the potential to go all the way but this probably is their toughest test since their stalemate against the Koreans.
The two sides met in the group stage in 2008 and the game finished all square with both sets of players struggling to cope with the hot and humid conditions of Hyderabad. They will face a similar challenge in this game also and the fact that game takes place in the afternoon will make it tougher for the players. So both coaches have to be very careful with their tactics and the substitutes will also play a key role.
Turkmenistan are placed fourteen places above Tajikistan in the FIFA rankings and have probably looked the better of the two in this competition. But things seem to click for Tajikistan in the AFC Challenge Cup and their semi-final win over DPR Korea in 2008 is a proof of that. So neither side really holds an edge and it promises to be a very close contest. Tajikistan failed at the last hurdle two years ago so they will be determined to appear in the final yet again while Turkmenistan will be looking to prove that their good performance in the group stage wasn’t a fluke. Both sides know each other really well so this all Central Asian semi-final is likely to go down the wire.
DPR Korea – Myanmar
The second semi-final sees two losing semi-finalists from the last edition go head to head as Group B winners DPR Korea face Group A runners-up Myanmar.
On paper, there can be only one winner in this game as World Cuppers DPR Korea are placed 56 places above Myanmar in the FIFA rankings. The Koreans started with a come from behind draw against Turkmenistan but followed that with two convincing wins in which they scored seven and didn’t concede any goal to qualify for the last four as group winners. It is not their full strength squad by any means but the second string has shown enough quality to suggest that they are very much the favourites to not only win this semi but also the competition. They did struggle to cope with the weather initally but as promised by coach Jo Tong-sop the Koreans have adapted to the alien conditions and now are hungry to finish the job and qualify for the 2011 Asia Cup. Attacking midfielder Pak Song Chol and striker Ryang Yong Gi have been the two standout performers but going by there is plenty of strength in depth in the rest of the squad also, which has allowed coach Jo to keep his players fresh. The Koreans are the overwhelming favourites but they did falter at this stage in 2008 so the players cannot be complacent.
Myanmar have done extremely well to reach the last four but will no doubt be the underdogs for this game. A 4-0 thrashing of hosts Sri Lanka followed by a hard fought 2-1 win over 2010 South Asian Games gold medalists Bangladesh virtually guaranteed their place in the semis so even a 0-3 defeat at the hands of Tajikistan didn’t eliminate them from the competition. However that result made them qualify as group runners-up thus they couldn’t avoid mighty DPR Korea. But coach Tin Myint Aung isn’t intimidated to face the Koreans and has demanded a strong performance from his players. Much would depend on the likes of striker Yan Paing and skipper Myon Min Tun as they are two of the most talented and experienced players in the squad. But of course what Myanmar really need is a complete team performance and also bit of luck which they did not have two years ago when they narrowly lost at this stage to eventual champions India. The South East Asian nation will be determined to cause a major upset and get one step closer to the 2011 Asia Cup.
DPR Korea do not have any injuries or suspensions and thanks to the squad rotation in the group stage coach Jo can be sure that every player will be ready to their job if required. Meanwhile, Myanmar will be glad to welcome back striker Yan Paing who missed the game against Tajikistan due to suspension.
The two teams met in the third place playoff in 2008 with DPR Korea comfortably winning the game 4-0. A similar scoreline is possible in this game also if the Koreans play to their full potential but if they do have an off day there is every chance of an upset. It will be interesting to see how Myanmar approach this game as their strength lies in attack but since they are taking on a much superior opposition coach Aung might be tempted to opt for a defensive strategy. With the possibility of extra time and penalties, fitness will also play an important factor for both sides.
DPR Korea are expected to reach the final comfortably but Myanmar also want to fight for their football crazy population so we can expect an intriguing contest.
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