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| AFC Challenge Cup |
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| Kodirov: Rain influenced the game |
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| Tajikistan coach Pulod Kodirov has been fined for his failure to attend the post-match press conference. |
HYDERABAD – Tajikistan coach Pulod Kodirov admitted that rain played a major part in his team’s 4-0 victory against Afghanistan in their AFC Challenge Cup Group A clash at Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium on Sunday.
A hat-trick by midfielder Yusuf Rabiev and a goal from Davrondzhon Tukhtasunov sent the defending champions through to the semi-finals as runners-up behind India, who beat Turkmenistan 2-1 in the group’s other match.
However, Kodirov was not totally satisfied with his players despite the big win and felt that the wet conditions affected his game plan.
"We have to admit that the rain helped us in one or two moments in the game," said the Tajikistan coach.
"In such situations experience is shown and our players dealt well with it.
"However, rain didn't help us entirely as it spoiled our game and things would have been much better if we were playing on a better field and in better weather conditions," he added.
"If the weather was better both teams could have played a good match as Afghanistan are not a bad side either.
"Also, two of our players were badly injured as we had to bring out (Dzhomikhon) Muhidinov and (Naim) Nasirov due to knee and leg problems respectively.
"I'm not entirely satisfied with the players because they didn't follow the instructions that we gave to them during the pre-match training session," Kodirov concluded.
Afghanistan coach Yusuf Kargar agreed with his counterpart that weather may have played a part in the final result.
"This is the first time that we have played in wet conditions," said Kargar.
"Only two of our players have previously played in such conditions as they play in Germany while the rest of our players are inexperienced.
"Two of Tajikistan goals were scored with the help of the wet pitch and it was really a difficult match for us," he added.
"Tajikistan players are used to playing in such conditions and that's why they had the upper hand.
"Our team performed well in the second half but you just can't fight against the weather and a team who are the defending champions and have well experienced players.”
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