DUSHANBE, February 25, 2010, Asia-Plus — Tajikistan failed to qualify for the final of the 21010 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup losing semi-final game against Turkmenistan 0-2 on Wednesday.
According to the AFC website, after Tajikistan enjoyed the best of the early chances, Amanov opened the scoring for Turkmenistan at Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka after 34 minutes before Urazov doubled the lead three minutes before the break.
And after Tajikistan, the inaugural champions and 2008 runners-up, failed to muster a response in the slow-paced second-half, Turkmenistan advanced to Saturday”s final to fight for a place at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, with Tajikistan being forced to settle for a place in the same day”s third place play-off.
Turkmenistan edged the opening exchanges with a series of neat passing exchanges but it was Tajikistan who created the first real chance after 11 minutes as captain Khurshed Mahmoudov blazed over the crossbar after leading a swift counter-attack despite having strong support. And Tajikistan should have opened the scoring five minutes later as Yusuf Rabiyev was left unmarked on the edge of the six yard area but could only direct his diving header wide of the post. Even with Turkmenistan still enjoying much of the possession, Tajikistan created another opening after 30 minutes as Mahmoudov”s long ball forward was helped on by Rabiyev into the path of Numonjon Hakimov, but the striker fired straight at Turkmenistan goalkeeper Bayramniyaz Berdiyev.
Opposite number Alisher Tuychiev was called into action three minutes later to bundle Mamedaly Karadanov”s back-post header from Ananov”s cross to safety.
But from the resulting corner, the Tajikistan custodian was left exposed as his side failed to clear their penalty area and the ball broke for Amanov (pictured) and the midfielder fired his angled shot past Tuychiev.
And three minutes before the break, Turkmenistan doubled their lead.
