Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Tashkent: Sherzod Jumaev scored a brace which featured a 28th minute winner as Tajikistan booked a place in the AFC Futsal Championship 2014 by edging Turkmenistan 5-4 in a thrilling South and Central qualifiers match on Thursday.
In one of the tournament’s closely contested battle, Turkmenistan, who needed a win to secure a place in the finals, showed their intent from early on by scoring three goals in first five minutes.
Gurbanguly Ashirov opened the Turkmen’s account in the 3rd minute and one minute later Annayev made it 2-0 which was followed by their third goal a minute later through an own goal from Mansur Mamedbabaev.
Tajikistan then replied with three goals with Khurshed Makhmudov netting two and Jumaev scoring his first of the evening before halftime as both the sides went into the break with honours even at 3-3.
Rejepov made it 4-3 in Turkmen’s favour in the 27th minute but on the same minute Mamedbabaev amended his early mistake by scoring the equaliser. One minute later Jumaev netted an all important winner which helped Tajikistan to book a berth in next year’s final and at the same time relegated Turkmenistan at the bottom of the group.
In the group of four teams with three getting the berth in the finals, Turkmenistan failed to qualify despite ending the campaign on par with Kyrgyzstan who suffered 5-1 defeat at the hands of table toppers Uzbekistan later on the day. Turkmenistan were edged by Kyrgyzstan on the superior goal differences.