AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers: India vs Tajikistan – 5 talking points as young Blue Tigers crash out

#2 Tajikistan were superior technically and physically

Tajikistan player

were

technically superior

After getting hammered against defending champions Uzbekistan in their opening match, India should have taken Tajikistan more seriously. Instead, they were looking off-colour every time Tajikistan made an attack.

In the FIFA ranking, Tajikistan are still below the Indians. But in terms of youth set-up, they are considerably higher. Before this tournament, the players have undergone a nearly four-month-long camp. They have trained in Aspire Academy in Doha and won a four-nation tournament there. After that, they have played several friendlies against Russian and Ukrainian clubs.

On Sunday, they were far more superior to their Indian counterparts. With tall and well-built players, the trumped India on every department. Their understanding was good and it was truly reflected on the field. Indian players caught off-guard whenever Tajikistan made an attack.

Boboev Sheriddin might have failed to register his name on the score-sheet, but he and Solehov Sharafjon have created quite a few troubles for Indian players.