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| AFC Challenge Cup |
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| We deserved win: Kodirov |
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| An elated Kodirov replies to a query after his team defeated DPR Korea on Thursday. |
HYDERABAD – Pulod Kodirov believes his Tajikistan side were deserved semi-final winners after a 1-0 triumph over DPR Korea earned the defending champions a place in Sunday’s final.
Dzhomikhon Muhidinov netted the only goal six minutes before half-time to allow Tajikistan the opportunity to replicate their success of 2006 when they claimed victory in the inaugural competition.
Muhidinov converted a free-kick from Nasirov Naim, catching goalkeeper Ju Kwang Min slightly off his line to put Tajikistan through to face hosts India.
"There is no luck in this game. We have qualified for the final, so there isn't any luck there," said Kodirov.
Muhidinov's strike was the first goal DPR Korea - the highest-ranked team in the competition - had conceded in the tournament.
Tempers frayed towards the end of the contest as DPR Korea finished the game with nine men.
Captain Nam Chol Pak and Choe Myong Ho were both shown straight red cards for abusing referee Masaaki Iemoto of Japan, while a scuffle broke out at the final whistle.
Kodirov blamed DPR Korea for the sour end to the proceedings.
He added: "They were disappointed with the defeat and they reacted badly."
The start of the match was delayed by 30 minutes as the organisers hoped incessant rain would ease and allow the ground conditions to improve.
But the rain continued throughout the match lending to difficult conditions.
"The conditions were not ideal for playing this match and we have no experience of playing in these conditions,” added Kodirov.
"Had it rained like this during our practice session at least, we would have had a specific game plan in mind. But it didn't and we had no plan in mind when we took the field.
"The match commissioner had delayed the start by 30 minutes but with the continuous rain we had no choice but to take the field."
Although disappointed with the result, DPR Korea coach Jo Tong-sop conceded that his players had given their all.
"Our players tried their best especially towards the end, but the ground conditions were just too bad,” he said.
"We had prepared the players for this sort of situation. But they seemed to be tired after conceding the goal and their technical and tactical play was not at its best."
Jo believes the dismissals of Nam and Choe were harsh.
"I think the referee should have cautioned or warned them rather than shown a direct red card,” he added.
"But I think the referee was under too much pressure so he used a red card.
"Even at the end, we were disappointed with the way Tajikistan's players responded when we went to shake hands with them.
"FIFA and AFC's Fair Play code says we should respect our opponents, but one of the Tajikistan players treated out player badly and the scuffle broke out."
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