Indian national team rivals’ watch: Tajikistan

Tajikistan were found wanting in the third round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers

In truth, their progression to the third round of 2014 World Cup qualifiers at the expense of Syria probably came a little too early as they faced the likes of Japan, Uzbekistan and North Korea. They finished bottom of the group, conceding 18 goals in six matches.

Former Russian international and Rubin Kazan director of sports Mukhamadiev has picked several players who played in the 3-2 friendly win over Afghanistan in June under interim coach Mubin Ergashev. The squad for the India match only has home-based players and it will be interesting to see their match fitness as the domestic league hasn’t been in action since the middle of June due to the summer and Ramadan break.

The friendly against Afghanistan saw a new-look squad, as six home-based players from the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers squad were left out including record goal scorer Yusuf Rabiev. It looks like Mukhamadiev is sticking to this new group and the nation would be hoping for a revival under the 46-year-old.

Tajikistan’s record goal scorer Yusuf Rabiev has been left out

India coach Wim Koevermans isn’t sure about Tajikistan’s style of play as they have a new coach at the helm but in the game against Afghanistan, they started with just one striker in Kamil Saidov with Akhtam Khamroqulov replacing him in the second half. The highly rated striker Davronjon Tukhtasunov was introduced to partner Khamroqulov in the final 15 minutes when Tajikistan were looking for a winner.

Tajikistan’s midfield is their strength with Dilshod Vasiev playing as the attacking midfielder just behind Saidov in the Afghanistan game while the experienced Khurshed Mahmudov, who is also the captain, and Jamshed Ismailov are key central midfielders.

The defence has a good mix of youth and experience and it will be interesting to see which of the two veteran goalkeepers – Alisher Tuychiev and Rustam Rizoev – gets the nod in the starting eleven with Tuychiev having more caps and Rizoev starting against Afghanistan.

Key Players

Sokhib Suvonkulov

The 24-year-old central defender made his international debut in India during the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup and has developed into one of the most important players in the national team. He recently scored in the win over Afghanistan but also got sent off and thus will have to work on his discipline.

Khurshed Makhmudov

Khurshed Makhmudov (in red)

The 30-year central midfielder has bags of international experience having made his debut eight years ago. Besides pulling the strings from midfield, Makhmudov also has the ability to score important goals and he crucially did that in a 1-0 win over Pakistan earlier this year to save Tajikistan’s blushes.

Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev

A member of the 2007 U-17 World Cup, Fatkhuloev is technically one of the most gifted players in the Tajikistan team. The 23-year-old wide midfielder is capable of operating on both flanks and his first international goal was that superb long-range strike against India in the 2008 Challenge Cup final.

Akhtam Khamroqulov

The 25-year-old striker faces tough competition for a starting place but he has been one of the better players for Tajikistan in the last 18 months. Khamroqulov notably scored Tajikistan’s only goal in the third round World Cup qualifiers against North Korea and also got on the scoresheet in their last meeting with India.