DUSHANBE, April 8, 2013, Asia-Plus — Substitute Asliddin Muhammadiyev scored the winner four minutes after coming in as Tajikistan edged Afghanistan 2-1 to win Group C of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-14 Championship 2014, an official website of the Asian Football Confederation said.
In the match played at the Dashrath Stadium on April 7, Tajikistan needed a win to secure the top spot after beating Bhutan and playing 1-1 draw against Nepal earlier.
Afghanistan, who needed a draw to ensure top finish, were put under pressure from the very beginning when striker Ziyovuddin Fuzaylov put Tajikistan ahead as early as in the 4th minute.
Omid Hayder brought the match in equal terms in the first-half stoppage time but it was match winner Muhammadiyev, who substituted goalscorer Fuzaylov in the 50th minute, whose goal separated the side.
Tajikistan bagged seven points from three matches while Afghanistan managed six to return home as group runners-up. Hosts Nepal, who defeated Bhutan 13-0 in an academic contest on Saturday, mustered four points. Bhutan remained in the bottom of the group.
The AFC U-14 Championship is a football tournament to be held by Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The first tournament was initially set to be held in 2014.
