Just under a year after they eased to a 4-0 win against the same opponents in Osaka, Tajikistan started strongly in the Bishkek-based rematch, dominating early territory and keeping Myanmar’s defence busy from the earliest minutes. 

Such was the Central Asian side’s early control that it came as little surprise when Mabatshoev fired them ahead in the ninth minute, keeping his composure to drill a low effort under goalkeeper Pyae Phyo Tue after the initial scramble following Parvizjon Umarboev’s corner kick had seen a Panshanbe strike hit the post.

In an AFC Asian Cup Qualifier featuring two European coaches, Antoine Hey’s Myanmar responded to the concession of the opener by raising their level in its aftermath. 

They began to look more confident and ought to have at least tested Rustam Yatimov when Aung Kaung Mann found himself unchecked on the edge of the penalty area in the 36th minute, but the forward fluffed his lines, and Tajikistan nearly punished them shortly after, with Panshanbe again denied, this time by a fine Pyae Phyo Tue save. 

With a one-goal deficit to overcome, the Southeast Asians were still in the game at half-time, but they quickly lost control after the interval, starting with a straight red card for Soe Moe Kyaw, who was deemed to have denied a clear goalscoring opportunity with his tackle on Umarboev.

Tajikistan had a penalty two minutes later, when Panshanbe was brought down in the penalty area seconds after taking the free-kick that followed Soe Moe Kyaw’s dismissal, with Dzhalilov easing the spot-kick home to make it 2-0 in the 56th minute. 

Two became three just a minute later when Mabatshoev steered Muhammadjon Rahimov’s pinpoint cross into the net, virtually sealing three valuable points for Tajikistan with half an hour still to play. 

Their supremacy was clear, but Panshanbe added a brilliant fourth when he deservedly got on the scoresheet with a thumping 25-yard drive with six minutes, putting the result beyond any doubt and the Tajiks 180 minutes of football away from a major milestone in their history.