Regar-TadAZ coach Makhmadjon Khabibulloev

BISHKEK – Regar-TadAZ coach Makhmadjon Khabibulloev hopes the Tajikistan champions will return to winning ways in the AFC President’s Cup against Turkmenistan League leaders Ashgabat in Friday’s semi-final.

Tursunzoda-based Regar-TadAZ won the inaugural President’s Cup title three years ago in Nepal with a 3-0 win over Kyrgyzstan’s Dordoi Dynamo, but last year in Pakistan suffered a semi-final defeat by eventual runners-up Mahendra Police Club, who are now known as Nepal Police Club.

Khabibulloev’s side, who won Group A to secure their trip to Bishkek after holding the Nepalese side to a 2-2 draw in the final game, are currently five points clear at the top of the Tajik League and have also qualified for the semi-finals of the national cup competition.

“We finished first in the group stage so that gives us a lot of confidence,” said Khabibulloev. “Last year was unsuccessful as we were much stronger than the Nepalese club, but we lost to them in the semi-finals.

“But now our goal is to win the AFC President’s Cup for a second time.

“Before our season we went to Turkey and Italy and played some friendly matches which was also our preparation for this tournament.

“We are currently in first place in our national championship, five points clear of the team in second place, and we are also through to the semi-finals of our national cup.”

Captain Khurshed Makhmudov insists Regar-TadAZ are in a confident mood ahead of the semi-final meeting at the Spartak Stadium in Bishkek, home of two-time defending champions Dordoi Dynamo who are looking to win a hat-trick of AFC President’s Cup this week.

“We are very confident and we hope to win,” said Makhmudov. “Our players hope to play well and advance to the final.”

Coach Khabibulloev will look to foreign strike duo Charles Narkotey from Ghana and Brazilian Victor Simoes De Oliveira to inspire Regar-TadAZ against Ashgabat, who were the most prolific scorers of the semi-final qualifiers in the group stage.

“We have two foreign forwards, one is from Ghana and one is from Brazil,” added Khabibulloev.

“The Ghanaian has played in the second tier of football in Russia and so far he is the top goal scorer in the Tajik national championship.

“We met the Brazilian during our training camp in Turkey and Italy. He is playing very well and showing real Brazilian football.”