PETALING JAYA: Coach Geli Shekiladze is not surprised with Tajikistan’s third place finish in the Merdeka Tournament.
In the third-fourth match playoff at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday, Tajikistan defeated the Philippines 4-3 in the penalty after the regulation match ended in a goalless draw.
Young winger Alisher Shukurov was the hero when he scored the winning penalty. The other goalscorers for Tajikistan were Shahrom Samiev, Parvizdzhon Umarbayev and Daler Sharipov.
The Philippines missed two penalties through leftback Jefferson Tabinas and striker Jarvey Gayoso, whose shots hit the post.
Tajikistan were the champions last year but Shekiladze said the team dynamics had changed since five of their players earned their first cap in the tournament.
The debutants were strikers Bilal Boboev, Daler Sharipov; midfielder Salokhiddin Irgashev; defenders Barakatullo Nigmatullozada and Fakhriddin Akhtamov.
“We had three debutants against Lebanon and two young bloods against the Philippines. It is important for these players to get good international experience,” he said.
“We did not bring several key players because they wanted to help their club in the AFC Champions League.”
The two Tajikistani teams playing in the AFC Champions League Two are Istiklol and Ravshan Kulob.
The missing key players were midfielder Amirbek Juraboev and strikers Alisher Dzhalilov and Rustam Soirov, all playing for Istiklol.
