AFC Futsal Asian Cup
The draw meant that Tajikistan finished on two points, two adrift of Central Asian rivals Uzbekistan, who were beaten 2-1 by Japan in the other tie.
Deespite having already suffered elimination, Australia started on the front foot with Grant Lynch’s backheel attempt in the opening minute forcing Firuz Bekmurodov into making the first save of the game.
Bekmurodov’s perfect throw out sent Bakhtiyor Soliev through with the Tajikistan player reaching the ball before Australia custodian Noah Feilich but saw his effort denied by the post.
The Central Asian side then spurned a great opportunity to take the lead in the eighth minute after they were awarded a penalty, with Feilich pulling off a great stop to deny Samandar Rizomov.
The final chance of the opening fell to Australia, who broke forward with five minutes to play as Bekmurodov could only parry Jordan Guerreiro’s strike, with the rebound landing nicely for Lynch who, however, blazed the ball over.
Group C: Tajikistan v Australia
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Tajikistan had another great chance five minutes into the second half when Muhamadjon Sharipov surged forward on the right flank and delivered a perfect low cross for Rizomov but Feilich’s outstretched right leg turned the ball away from settling in the goalmouth.
Feilich made an even better save in the 30th minute, having to readjust his body after Dilshod Salomov’s strike had taken a deflection off Tyler Garner as Tajikistan pushed for a breakthrough.
Tajikistan’s persistent pressure eventually reaped rewards in the 39th minute when Idris Yorov pounced on a rebound to score but victory eluded the 2024 semi-finalists as Australia equalised a minute later through Guerreiro.
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