Debutants Tajikistan made history on Monday as they secured a place in the knockout rounds of the Asian Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over 10-man Lebanon. The match was filled with drama, featuring three stunning goals and two strikes that were ruled out by VAR.
The result was made even sweeter for Tajikistan as China suffered a 1-0 loss to hosts Qatar, which ultimately allowed Tajikistan to finish in second place in Group A.
Prior to the final round of group stage matches, Qatar was the only team in the group to have scored a goal. This meant that any of the other three teams had a chance to secure second place and advance to the next stage.
Lebanon came out strong in the game, launching repeated attacks and dominating possession. However, they struggled to break through Tajikistan's defense, much like in their previous two matches.
Tajikistan, on the other hand, had limited opportunities and mostly relied on shots from outside the box. However, just before halftime, midfielder Mabatshoev Shervoni made a brilliant run into the Lebanon area and his attempted cross took a deflection off Lebanon's Robert Melki, resulting in an own goal. Unfortunately for Tajikistan, the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside.
Lebanon quickly turned the game around after the restart when Bassel Jradi scored a spectacular goal from the edge of the area, putting Lebanon in the lead.
However, their advantage was short-lived as Kassem El Zein received a red card after a VAR check upgraded his initial yellow card. Tajikistan took advantage of the extra man and pushed forward, desperately seeking an equalizer.
In the 70th minute, they thought they had scored, but Alisher Dzhalilov's goal was once again disallowed for a narrow offside. However, their persistence paid off when Parvizdzhon Umarbaev scored a stunning curling free kick to level the score.
With the game heading towards extra time, substitute Nuriddin Khamrokulov sealed the victory for Tajikistan with a delicate backward header. The goal came just as the fourth official signaled a staggering 16 minutes of added time.
Lebanon had a chance to pull one back in the dying moments of the game, but Hilal El-Helwe's shot went wide, resulting in their exit from the tournament.
Tajikistan's incredible comeback victory secured their place in the knockout stages of the Asian Cup, marking a historic moment for the debutants. Their resilience and determination throughout the match demonstrated their potential as a rising force in Asian football.
Meanwhile, China's loss to Qatar meant they finished third in the group, narrowly missing out on qualification. Qatar, as the host nation, comfortably topped the group and continued their impressive form in the tournament.
The Asian Cup has already provided thrilling encounters and unexpected results, showcasing the talent and competitiveness of the participating teams. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more exciting matches and memorable moments as the race for the Asian Cup title heats up.