Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dushanbe: Tajikistan’s U-16 squad returned to a heroes’ welcome on Wednesday after their remarkable achievement of reaching the AFC U-16 Championship Malaysia 2018 final and securing a 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup berth.
Tajikistan’s young stars met the country's President Emomali Rahmon on Thursday, who congratulated and thanked every member of the squad for their hard work on the Continental stage.
President Rahmon has allocated 660,000 Tajikistani Somoni to the Tajikistan youth team, and all 33 members of the U-16 national team were rewarded with 20,000 Tajikistani Somoni.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With Japan lifting the AFC U-16 Championship for the third time after defeating Tajikistan on Sunday, the-AFC.com takes a look at the teams who were dominant, impressed and showed promise.
Japan powered their way to the 2018 title, making them the most successful team in the continental competition with three championships to their name.
The young Samurai Blue also have the most top four finishes - nine in total, previously having won the title in 1994 and 2006.
www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup/photo/perfect_end_to_championship.html
Perfect end to Championship
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Japan head coach Yoshiro Moriyama hailed his young squad for their improvement throughout their AFC U-16 Championship Malaysia 2018 campaign, as they beat Tajikistan 1-0 to seal a record third title on Sunday.
“My expectations before the tournament were that it was going to be a difficult tournament, and that our players had to improve game by game,” said Moriyama.
“And they did well to grow and improve throughout the tournament. We overcame whatever difficulties thrown at us and got the trophy.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Jun Nishikawa was named the AFC U-16 Championship Malaysia 2018 Most Valuable Player (MVP) after steering Japan to their third title with a 1-0 victory over Tajikistan in the final at the National Stadium on Sunday.
Nishikawa scored the winning goal in the final but was a key component in Japan’s march to the title with sterling performances throughout the tournament.
"I didn't score any goals before this game, so going into the match I really wanted to score against Tajikistan, and I did it and I'm really glad. It's a great feeling winning the MVP in Asia, I'm really happy and it is a good achievement for me," said Nishikawa.
"We've had a lot of tournaments and training camps with this team, we have really good chemistry and unity so it's really important to win the tournament with this team. I really want to try and improve towards the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup Peru and have a great tournament."
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Japan clinched the AFC U-16 Championship Malaysia 2018 title after securing a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tajikistan in the final at the National Stadium on Sunday.
Jun Nishikawa's 63rd minute strike secured Japan a record third AFC U-16 Championship title as Yoshiro Moriyama's side overcame a steely Tajikistan.
Both sides opted for a cautious approach in the opening minutes but Japan, who made four changes to the lineup that had started in the semi-final against Australia, slowly gained the upperhand with Nishikawa on the left flank sending crosses into the box.
Tajikistan, who were camped mostly in their own half, depended on counter attacks and Rustam Soirov had a glimpse at goal in the 10th minute when he made his way past two defenders but shot wide.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Japan are on the brink of a record third AFC U-16 Championship title, and head coach Yoshiro Moriyama is confident his boys can rise to the challenge against Tajikistan in Sunday’s final at the National Stadium.
Road to Final
Group Stage: beat Thailand 5-2, drew Tajikistan 0-0, beat Malaysia 2-0 Quarter-finals: beat Oman 2-1 Semi-finals: beat Australia 3-1
Goals scored: 12
Conceded: 4
Top scorer: Shoji Toyama (5)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Zaynidin Rakhimov believes unity has been Tajikistan’s key to success and he is counting on it to take them to their first AFC U-16 Championship title when they face Japan in the final at the National Stadium on Sunday.
Road to Final
Group Stage: lost 6-2 Malaysia, drew 0-0 Japan, beat Thailand 2-1 Quarter-finals: beat DPR Korea 1-1 (4-2 PSO) Semi-finals: beat Korea Republic 1-1 (7-6 PSO)
Goals scored: 6 Conceded: 9 Top scorer: Islom Zairov & Ozodbek Panzhiev (2)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Tajikistan are eager to create more history in the AFC U-16 Championship Malaysia 2018 final with Japan on Sunday, but Muhammadrasul Litfuallev knows that they face a huge test against the two-time champions.
It will be a repeat of the Group A clash when Tajikistan revived their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage after holding Japan 0-0 but the final, said Litfuallev, will be a different ball game altogether.
“Japan are a very strong team, and we played them in the group stage. In the final, it will definitely be hard.
“We are the outsiders but I believe in our team.”