Tajikistan played its first match at the Merdeka Cup tournament, which is taking place in Kuala Lumpur these days.
In the first semi-final of the tournament, in which four teams participate, the Tajikistanis played against the Lebanese national team and were defeated with a score of 0:1. In the 13th minute, the only goal was scored by Lebanese striker Jehad Ayub.
In the second semi-final, the national teams of Malaysia and the Philippines played with a score of 2:1. Tajikistan will now play a match for third place with the Philippine team.
It should be noted that Tajikistan is on the 103rd line in the FIFA ranking, and Lebanon is on the 116th.
The Merdeka Cup is an annual friendly tournament held in Malaysia. This year it takes place from 4 to 8 September. The national team of Tajikistan is the current winner of the tournament.
The match for the third place will be held on Sunday, September 8, at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur and will begin at 13:30 Dushanbe time.
It should be noted that Oleg Baklov, the 29-year-old goalkeeper of the Russian “Ufa”, received an invitation to the Tajik national team for the first time and also went to Kuala Lumpur, but has not yet played for the team.
Probably, coach Geli Shekiladze will let him play in the match for the bronze medals of the tournament.
