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2010 AFC Challenge Cup: Two First Half Goals Helps Turkmenistan Defeat Tajikistan In The First Semi-Final
The young Turkmen have reached the final
24-Feb-2010 5:51:00 PM
By Amoy Ghoshal
Turkmenistan have qualified for their first ever AFC Challenge Cup final after beating Central Asian neighbours Tajikistan 2-0 in the first semi-final on Wednesday evening.
Goals from Amanov Arslanmyrat and Urazov Didarklych in the first half gave Turkmenistan a well deserved victory.
Turkmenistan started the game strongly and were dominating possession in the early stages.
Tajikistan were playing on the break and created a good opportunity after ten minutes but Khurshed Makhmudov wasted the effort by hitting his shot over the bar.
Five minutes later, Pulod Kodirov’s team should have taken the lead as veteran striker Yusuf Rabiev found himself free in the box but his diving header missed the target.
Turkmenistan continued to see the ball more but Tajikistan were looking more dangerous in the final third.
Just after the half an hour mark, Tajikistan created another good opening from a very quick counter attack which saw Numondzhon Khakimov get a clear sight of goal but the forward’s effort was straight into the hands of Turkmenistan keeper Bayramniyaz Berdiyev.
A couple of minutes later Tajikistan were punished for not taking their chances as Turkmenistan striker Arslanmyrat Amanov scored from a corner.
Amanov was at the right place and the right time to slot the ball past Tajikistan keeper Tuychiev Alsiher as the Tajikistan defenders failed to clear away the danger.
Turkmenistan vitally scored the second three minutes before the break when forward Didarklych Urazov found the back of the net after receiving a wonderful low cross from Dovran Allanazarov.
Tajikistan were left with a very difficult task in the second period but they did start well after the restart with skipper Makhmudov testing Berdiyev.
The hot and humid conditions were making it difficult for both sides and as a result the pace of the game dropped which suited Turkmenistan as they were happy to get men behind the ball and defend.
Tajikistan then struggled to create chances and it was Turkmenistan who found the back of the net but Khakimov’s header was ruled out due to offside.
There were few openings in the latter stages but Tajikistan were unfortunate not to pull one back as they hit the crossbar.
In the end Turkmenistan held on for the win to reach the AFC Challenge Cup final for the very first time while Tajikistan will have to wait longer for their maiden appearance in the Asia Cup.
Goalscorers: Amanov Arslanmyrat 33' Urazov Didarklych 42'
Goals from Amanov Arslanmyrat and Urazov Didarklych in the first half gave Turkmenistan a well deserved victory.
Turkmenistan started the game strongly and were dominating possession in the early stages.
Tajikistan were playing on the break and created a good opportunity after ten minutes but Khurshed Makhmudov wasted the effort by hitting his shot over the bar.
Five minutes later, Pulod Kodirov’s team should have taken the lead as veteran striker Yusuf Rabiev found himself free in the box but his diving header missed the target.
Turkmenistan continued to see the ball more but Tajikistan were looking more dangerous in the final third.
Just after the half an hour mark, Tajikistan created another good opening from a very quick counter attack which saw Numondzhon Khakimov get a clear sight of goal but the forward’s effort was straight into the hands of Turkmenistan keeper Bayramniyaz Berdiyev.
A couple of minutes later Tajikistan were punished for not taking their chances as Turkmenistan striker Arslanmyrat Amanov scored from a corner.
Amanov was at the right place and the right time to slot the ball past Tajikistan keeper Tuychiev Alsiher as the Tajikistan defenders failed to clear away the danger.
Turkmenistan vitally scored the second three minutes before the break when forward Didarklych Urazov found the back of the net after receiving a wonderful low cross from Dovran Allanazarov.
Tajikistan were left with a very difficult task in the second period but they did start well after the restart with skipper Makhmudov testing Berdiyev.
The hot and humid conditions were making it difficult for both sides and as a result the pace of the game dropped which suited Turkmenistan as they were happy to get men behind the ball and defend.
Tajikistan then struggled to create chances and it was Turkmenistan who found the back of the net but Khakimov’s header was ruled out due to offside.
There were few openings in the latter stages but Tajikistan were unfortunate not to pull one back as they hit the crossbar.
In the end Turkmenistan held on for the win to reach the AFC Challenge Cup final for the very first time while Tajikistan will have to wait longer for their maiden appearance in the Asia Cup.
Goalscorers: Amanov Arslanmyrat 33' Urazov Didarklych 42'
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