In a stunning turn of events, Tajikistan has advanced to the knockout rounds of their first-ever Asian Cup after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lebanon. The win, coupled with China's loss to Qatar, secured Tajikistan's spot in the last 16 of the tournament. It was a dream come true for the debutants, who had two goals disallowed by VAR but managed to come out on top in the end.
Tajikistan's coach, Petar Segrt, described it as a "big dream" to advance in the tournament. He expressed his delight at staying in the competition for longer and spoke about the team's aspirations of reaching the second round. For Tajikistan, every day in the Asian Cup is a dream come true, and they are determined to continue their impressive run.
The match against Lebanon was a tense affair, with both teams fighting hard for a victory. Lebanon dominated the early stages of the game but failed to find a breakthrough. Tajikistan, on the other hand, struggled to create clear-cut chances until just before halftime. Midfielder Mabatshoev Shervoni's attempted cross took a deflection and found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for a tight offside call.
Lebanon struck first in the second half when Bassel Jradi curled in a beautiful strike from the edge of the area. However, their advantage was short-lived as they were reduced to ten men after Kassem El Zein's yellow card was upgraded to a red following a VAR check. With a man advantage, Tajikistan pushed forward and thought they had equalized on two occasions, only to have their goals disallowed for offside.
But Tajikistan's persistence paid off when Parvizdzhon Umarbaev scored a curling free-kick to level the score. With the game seemingly heading for a draw, substitute Nuriddin Khamrokulov scored a delicate header in the 92nd minute to secure the victory for Tajikistan. The celebrations were jubilant as the players and fans rejoiced at this historic achievement.
Coach Segrt praised his team's fighting spirit and resilience throughout the match. He acknowledged the mental challenges of coming back from setbacks but commended his players' determination to fight for their country. Goalscorer Umarbaev dedicated the win to Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon, who had delivered a motivational speech to the team before the game.
Lebanon's coach, Miodrag Radulovic, lamented his team's loss of concentration and the subsequent red card that hampered their chances. He acknowledged the difficulty of playing with a numerical disadvantage for more than 50 minutes and expressed his disappointment at the missed opportunity.
Tajikistan's journey in the Asian Cup has been nothing short of remarkable. As debutants in the tournament, they have defied expectations and showcased their talent and determination. Their success is not only a source of pride for the players and fans but also a testament to the growth and development of football in Tajikistan. As they prepare for the knockout rounds, Tajikistan will undoubtedly continue to dream big and aim for further success in the tournament.