Tajikistan moved to the final of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup in their maiden appearance in the tournament after edging Philippines 2-0 in the first semi-final under drizzling rain at Bir Sreshtha Ruhul Amin Stadium in Cox’s Bazar Tuesday afternoon.
Forward Tursunov Komron opened the scoring in the opening half before Nazarov Akhtam doubled the lead in injury time. Tajikistan dominated the game and created more chances than the opponent against whom they lost the previous two matches in the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Both the sides made two changes each in defence and midfield with the Philippines bringing in Jerry Barbaso and Daviz Arboleda while Tajikistan brought in Tavrezi Davlatmir and Rasulov Khikmatullo.
Philippines goalkeeper Michael Casas made a couple of brilliant saves within 10 minutes into the clock, first blocking a close-range effort of forward Komron before tipping away skipper Fatkhulloev Fatkhullo’s powerful strike from 25 yards away.
Komron tried his luck with a grounder outside the box but his effort narrowly missed the target in the 26th minute.
Komron finally gave his side the lead in the 32nd minute with a superb side-volley after Rahimov’s headed pass from a Tabrezi Davlatmir’s cross met him unmarked at the middle of the box.
Philippines had a chance to equalise within a minute but Michael Daniels’ header from a long cross by Hikaru Minegishi went wide.
Tajikistan forward Jahongir Ergashev missed a big chance in the 39th minute, despite finding the opponent keeper in a one-on-one situation inside the box following a fine through pass from Juraboev Amirbek.
Five minutes before the end of stipulated time, substitute forward Augustine Gayoso shot over the bar from the right side of the box after a through pass from Jovin Bedic.
Nazarov doubled the lead to seal victory in the seventh minute of injury time with a left-footer from the top of the box after Komron’s cutback, following a pass from substitute midfielder Babadzhanov Nozim inside the box.
Tajikistan will face the winner of the second semi-final between Bangladesh and Palestine at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Friday.
RESULT
Tajikistan 2 (Komron 32, Nazarov 90+7) 0 Philippines
