AFC Challenge Cup 2008

HYDERABAD - Midfielder Yusuf Rabiev fired Tajikistan through to the semi-finals of the AFC Challenge Cup on Sunday, netting a hat-trick in a 4-0 demolition of Afghanistan in a Group A clash at Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium.

Tajikistan opened the scoring after 14 minutes when a mistake by Afghanistan skipper Djelaluddin Shrityar and goalkeeper Shamsuddin Amiri allowed Rabiev to slot the ball into an empty net.

The Central Asians doubled their advantage in the 39th minute when Anvar Norkulov’s pass released Davrondzhon Tukhtasunov, who made no mistake with a powerful shot past Amiri.

Rabiev netted his second a minute before the break and completed his hat-trick 11 minutes into the second half as Tajikistan finished second in the group behind group winners India, who beat Turkmenistan 2-1 in a simultaneous match.

Tajikistan started strongly, creating their first chance after only two minutes when a header by Davrondzhon Tukhtasunov went over the crossbar.

Afghanistan responded five minutes later with a powerful shot by Salem Nahemi that went over the crossbar while Zohib Islam shot straight at Tajikistan goalkeeper Alisher Tuychiev in the 12th minute.

The soggy pitch conditions did not help the players and played a major role in Tajikistan's opening goal as Shrityar failed to clear and Amiri misjudged the ball's pace allowing it to reach an unmarked Rabiev who scored easily.

Tajikistan were fortunate again in the 39th minute when Norkulov’s pass to Tukhtasunov was held up by water near the penalty spot teeing the ball nicely for Tukhtasunov to fire home a powerful shot.

The Tajiks made it 3-0 a minute before the break as Dzhomikhon Muhidinov’s free-kick was cleared by Zohib Islam but fell invitingly to Rabiev, who unleashed a powerful shot which went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Afghanistan started well in the second half and should have scored in the 50th minute when Israfeel Kohistani headed just wide of right post while a powerful shot by Zohib Islam was turned aside for a corner by Tuychiev in the 54th minute.

However, Tajikistan added a fourth goal two minutes later as Rabiev completed his hat-trick, out-pacing the Afghanistan defence before chipping the ball over an advancing Amiri.

Tajikistan nearly added a fifth four minutes after the hour mark when Numondzhon Khakimov fired a powerful shot from close range against the right post.