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| Regar rode luck concedes coach |
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| Regar-TadAZ coach Makhmadjon Khabibulloev admitted the Tajiks have had their fair share of luck on route to President's Cup glory. |
BISHKEK – Regar TadAZ coach Makhmadjon Khabibulloev admitted the Tajik side was fortunate to claim the AFC President's Cup title after edging out defending champions Dordoi Dynamo on penalties in the final.
David Tetteh's 33rd minute strike looked to have put Kyrgyzstan League champions Dordoi on course for a third consecutive President's Cup crown at Spartak Stadium in Bishkek.
But an error from Dordoi goalkeeper Vladislav Volkov, which allowed Davrondzhon Tukhtasunov to head his side level eight minutes into other second half, and some wayward shooting from the home side allowed Regar TadAZ to follow up their 2005 President's Cup triumph over Dordoi.
Regar were also fortunate in their semi-final against Ashgabat as they twice threw away first half leads and were heading out until defender Ilyas Minhairov turned the ball into his own net with just three minutes remaining before extra time heroics from captain Khurshed Makhmudov.
"It was a very difficult match for us,” conceded Khabibulloev.
“It is the second time we have played against Dordoi. The first time we played in Nepal we won 3-0, this was a good game. This time, our whole team struggled to match Dordoi. This was a final and it was a very difficult game.
"But when the game goes to penalties you always have a chance to win. Saying that we were lucky.
"We did have time to practice penalties before the final and I have watched the Dordoi goalkeeper before and he is prone to making mistakes.”
Regar skipper Makhmudov echoed Khabibulloev’s sentiments, agreeing that Regar rode their luck to join Dordoi as two-time President's Cup champions.
"It was very difficult for us as Dordoi had the home fans behind them. If we played at a neutral venue maybe we could have played a little better and scored more goals,” said Makhmudov.
"We tried to win the game in 90 minutes, without the need for extra time or penalties, but as the game progressed the coach told us to keep it tight and hold on for penalties as Dordoi had a lot of possession.
"Dordoi also had a lot of chances and created a lot of opportunities and we are very lucky that they did not take these chances.”
Following his exploits over the two games in the Kyrgyzstan capital Makhmudov, who fired home a stunning winner in extra time during Friday's 4-3 semi-final win over Turkmenistan's Ashgabat, won the Most Valuable Player accolade.
But he was quick to pick out the performance of goalkeeper Alisher Dodov, who despite struggling with an ankle injury for most of the game, produced several crucial saves in the game before turning away Davron Askarov's penalty in the shootout.
"If I had to choose the Most Valuable Player, I would first choose myself, then I would choose our goalkeeper Alisher Dodov," added Makhmudov.
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