Tajikistan: The rise of the Crowns from Dushanbe

It would have surprised many to see Tajikistan atop their World Cup qualification group come the end of September, but what could initially be assumed as a one off flash in the pan, instead has roots to be one of the more interesting underdog tales of this World Cup cycle.

Tajikistan, in a political sense is regularly likened to North Korea. A closed dictatorship, that is propped up by an impoverished population, drained by an all consuming ruling family, a country well rehearsed in closing itself from the rest of the world. But while North Korea have looked to improve their footballing scene, in hope to project a better image of itself outside its borders, Tajikistan have largely forgotten about theirs.

The domestic game severely lacks funding, from basic infrastructure to playing facilities, Tajikistan’s top tier league continues to shrink in number and shows little sign of shrugging off its corrupt past which stretches to regional associations across Central Asia. The only case of governmental “assistance” comes in the form of leading club Istiklol, who have just romped home for a sixth domestic season in a row.

The president’s son Rustam Emomali instigated the formation of the club back in 2007, in which he featured as a player before moving on to own it entirely. Istiklol are regularly criticised for having the governing body in it’s pocket, the main reason why their dominance has persisted for so long; acquiring their competitor’s very best Tajik talent in way of little to no compensation, whilst benefiting to let’s just say favourable refereeing decisions; in effect ruling the league redundant.

As has recently been the case, domestic interest instead lies continentally, or how the AFC Cup now works on a focussed regional basis. As with Kyrgz champions Dordoi and Tukmen powerhouses Altyn Asyr, Istiklol represent the third jewel (outside Uzbekistan) in the Central Asian football armoury, reaching the final on two occasions in the last four years. While success has on occasion arrived, consistency, as the others have also experienced is difficult to rely upon when the rest of the league are playing catch-up.

While the domestic scene falters, the national team has ignited a bounce, through the appointment of proud and bullish Uzbek coach Usmon Toshev. Far from being a household name, even back home in Uzbekistan, Toshev’s biggest achievements to date have come in Afghanistan prior to taking up the Tajikistan hot seat last year. What he lacks in his CV, he makes up entirely with his passion for the game and his unerring ability to prepare a team.

The starting theme under Toshev is clear, that of discipline. So much so that he used three different words for it in a recent interview (probably says a lot more about Uzbek culture in general) when talking up his impact since arriving. He took over a team without heart, without backing and without direction, turning them full circle into a unit that is far greater than the sum of its parts. He’s conceded that his side lacks individual talent, instead focusing on occasions and emotion to make their mark.

And so they did, in their qualification opener at home to neighbours Kyrgyzstan. A mismatch of a contest with an added derby day feel, a capacity crowd roared on a team, previously lacking a clear idea, to an unlikely opening day victory. Something the fans could hold as their own, outside the control of their ruling overlords.

Toshev’s principles aren’t rocket science, but they’re proving successful. 1) Modernise an outdated structure, 2) curb external influence (banning outsiders from entering the dressing room on matchdays) and 3) trusting in your talent.

Alongside a slow rise in form at senior level, Tajikistan have seen an accelerated rise at youth level; finalists at the Asian U16s last year, while making it to the last eight on the last two occasions at U19 level. Rather than being an exception, Tajikistan’s presence at the top end of Asian youth football is becoming a normality amongst the elite. The tougher task of course, is to replicate such form at senior level. Tajikistan have never qualified for an Asian Cup in their history, but general opinion genuinely believes this is the greatest opportunity yet to rewrite this.

Toshev has embraced the fresher growth of Tajik talent that has succeeded through the youth ranks, handing half a dozen debuts to players under 21 in the last six months, overseeing a squad that regularly averages under 25 years of age. Half of the 23 man squad selected for September were under 21, with the majority of them already reaching double figures in caps.

This last week Tajikistan steamrolled the competition in qualification for next year’s U19s, with a number of seniors playing key roles. The style of play was consistent to that of Toshev’s team; quick, possession focussed with an emphasis on getting it to their number 9, on this occasion 18 year old colossus Shahrom Samiyev who scored 5 goals over the three qualifying matches.

Their youthful base is well complemented by a spine of experience honed in Europe, mainly in Russia, encapsulated by the three Dzhalilov cousins. Defender Iskandar, midfielder Alisher and attacker Manuchekhr who all made decent fists of their time in Russia, but have gone up another level since returning home for both club & country.

Manuchekhr Dzhalilov was the sensation of the last cycle, with his electric capability to stretch defences and score off barely nothing, his power and pace was a constant threat that even drew praise from visiting Australian journalists when the Asian Champions rode into Dushanbe in 2015.

His younger cousin Alisher Dzhalilov promises to have the same impact this cycle, after only being able to tie up his Tajik registration on the eve of qualification. The classic number 10, started with immediate effect, with a man of the match display to go with his match winning goal against Kyrgyzstan which immediately propelled him to national hero status. The former Rubin Kazan playmaker is agile, inventive but also industrious, and will prove to be a thorn in any defence’s side.

Tajikistan’s rise comes at a time when Central Asian football is starting to lurk out of it’s inward looking past. Kyrgyzstan were one of the stand out performers at this year’s Asian Cup, playing some of the most positive and tactically adept play the competition had to offer, while Turkmenistan have embarked on a root and branch reconstruction of their whole structure under new Croat leadership, already having tangible effects, in their narrow defeat to South Korea last month.

Tajikistan sit as the poorest relation in the region, with arguably the least amount of support from its FA. Yet, with an upsurge in talent making its way through and a bold, single minded coach at the helm, Tajikistan are out to provide yet more surprises as this World Cup qualification cycle rumbles on.

Asian Cup Matchday Review (Group Stage GW3)

The group stage of this year's Asian Cup has culminated, and despite the predictable affair we witnessed in the first two rounds, we finished with some drama and adulation, as debutants Kyrgyzstan qualified for the round of 16 in their debut appearance at the tournament. We also saw a perfect separation of Asia's big four, with Iran, South Korea, Australia and Japan all avoiding one another in the tournament bracket quadrants, meaning there'll have to be a big shock not to witness an elite feel to the latter rounds. For now here are my player, team and talking point of the round just gone.

The Player

There were few shocks to be had in the last round of group matches, but Bahrain's last minute penalty victory over a highly impressive India, to qualify themselves and knock out their opponents, will undoubtedly go down as the most dramatic of moments in the group stage. Amidst the high tension, one man continues to stand in serenity; 21-year-old Bahraini centre half Hamad Al-Shamsan may not be necessarily making the headlines, but his presence has been integral in his country's knockout progression.

Tall, physical, quick on the turn (check out his chasing down of Udanta Singh in the second half) and confident in possession, it's difficult to pick holes in the defender's game. When indeed a long through pass is over hit, you reel in frustration, only to remember the player's fleeting age and experience, illustrating perfectly how he's grown into his starting role. Few expected Al-Shamsan to even see minutes at the Asian Cup, the fact he's played every second so far shows what faith Miroslav Soukup has in him.

Soukup's tenure has been that of growth, and long term planning. If that final minute penalty didn't come, Bahrain could have rest assured they have a strong unit, alongside a raft of young players looking to emulate the outgoing golden generation. In striker Abdullah Yusuf Helal, centre midfielder Mohamed Marhoon and wide man Ali Madan they have the capabilities to threaten the next level over the next cycle. For now though, thanks to Al-Shamsan's calmness in drawing that historic final minute penalty, Bahrain are dreaming of today.

The Team

There have been few teams to demonstrate the consistency and freshness that Kyrgyzstan have shown this tournament. From minute one against China, to their parting victory over Philippines, Alexandr Krestinin has formed a side tactically adept, physically ready and unfazed by the challenge that greets them. Drawing hosts UAE in the last 16 in their debut Asian Cup appearance, you can be sure that the White Falcons will be the one fully confident of causing an upset.

Against China and Korea, Kyrgyzstan set up, as many others do against the elite in Asia, five men at the back with a packed midfield. The difference between the likes of North Korea, Yemen or their neighbours Turkmenistan, who all put up a rearguard action but little else, Kyrgyzstan flexed when they needed to, scaring China early on, before creating a number of chances against Korea, falling short on both occasions by the odd goal. With a last day decider, the challenge was set to fully illustrate their attacking game.

And that they did. A comfortable 3-1 win (which could've been 3-0, but for a late goalkeeping error) was as imperious as any we've seen to date. Fixed in place by the phenomenal Valery Kichin in defence and their central midfield skipper Edgar Bernhardt who has been untouchable at times this tournament, the glory fell to German based Vitalij Lux, who went on to make history as the first Kyrgyz player to ever score a hat-trick in competitive play to fire his side through to the knockout stages. A phenomenal feat in their debut tournament, but this side represents more than a mere plucky underdog.

The Talking Point

Regularly a talking point in this continent's football, but officiating is again on the agenda, after a number of inconsistencies, lapses in judgement and clearly obvious errors shone a light again on the development of referees and the questionable selection criteria in place. Sadly, despite being in the third round of group stage matches, it has continued from a low base; the awarding of UAE's spot kick on day one by Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh unsurprisingly brought forward suggestions of favouring the host in their opening game, but that severely underestimates the usual standard of Asian officiating.

Since then we've seen linesmen standing out of line with the last defender, inconsistencies in bookable offences (Mohammed Saleh's red for Palestine v Syria, came after numerous examples of unpunished thuggery) and a ghost goal ruled out for Lebanon against Qatar after mere contact in the box. But the worst was still to come, as referee Cesar Arturo Ramos of Mexico (that well known Asian nation) took charge of the Group B decider between Australia and Syria.

His unwavering view of Mark Milligan's obvious looking handball was brushed off before "making amends" in strange fashion, as Omar Al-Somah was felled by his own player in the box. The resulting penalty mattered little, as Australia came back for a third time to win the match and book their progression, yet questions were flying in the Asian football fraternity; 1) why are the AFC offering a referee exchange scheme with Mexico/CONCACAF in their prized continental tournament in the first place and 2) when are standards going to improve across the continent?

For those of you who will point to VAR's implementation upon the quarter-final stage, you've come to the wrong person given my considerable views on the subject. Irrespective of the technology being treated as a silver-bullet to those so called clear mistakes, an area even Western Europe is starting to awake to in the last 24 hours, the quality of officiating isn't necessarily improved, rather mirrored in the VAR booth. Examples in Asia have already bared witness, if the refereeing is bad on the field, it's going to be similarly suspect off it. Australia, China and Saudi Arabia have all had mixed results in implementing it in their domestic leagues, so why God for bid is this the right time to bring it in to the international arena?

Asian Cup 2019: Kyrgyzstan (Preview)

It may not be regularly advisable, but if you do accidentally find yourself casting your eye over the most recent set of FIFA World Rankings, Kyrgyzstan’s place as Asia’s 12th best side, ahead of the likes of Uzbekistan and Qatar may have you scratching your head a little. While the calculations are widely up for debate, it can’t be questioned how far the White Falcons have come over the last World Cup cycle, heading to their debut Asian Cup campaign in positive mood to continue in changing perceptions across the continent.

Four years ago, we were given the first opportunity to dissect the new qualifying schedule for both World Cup and Asian Cup campaigns. For some (mainly the more established nations) the drawn-out nature of the qualifiers meant for a larger number of mismatched encounters, yet for those at the other end of the pyramid, we were promised regular competitive football, against the whole spectrum of quality plying their trade in Asian international football.

Kyrgyzstan epitomise the benefits this system has produced. They only played four matches in total, when qualifying for World Cup’s in 2010 & 2014, while they only featured in the inadequately named AFC Challenge Cup in their failed bids to qualify for Asian Cup’s in 2011 & 2015. What teams in the middle to lower order of things required (see similar stories felt by Philippines and Turkmenistan) was competitive football, over the course of the whole cycle, in which development could notceably be achieved.

A campaign which featured 14 matches, facing off home and away against the likes of Australia and Jordan, to Myanmar and Macau, Kyrgyzstan couldn’t have asked for a more rounded four years. From it, they blossomed, pushing the former two close in World Cup qualifying, before heading through to the Asian Cup comprehensively against the latter pair, illustrating their full attacking capabilities. The UEFA Nations League has received plenty of praise of late, but the AFC can justifiably point out that their qualifying procedure offers the same parity, only with an early extension of featuring alongside the continent’s very best.

Those games against Australia will go down in Kyrgyz footballing history; a narrow 2-1 defeat in Bishkek, followed by a modest 3-0 reverse in Canberra, a tie where they were severely hamstrung into fielding a weakened line-up due to visa issues. To go on to pick up 4 points against Jordan, including a clean sheet away in Amman, and the progress was all to see. Onto Asian Cup qualifying, but for a few slip-ups, passage was comfortably achieved with a 5-1 win over their nearest rivals Myanmar on neutral turf, sealing progression to their first continental appearance in their history with a game to spare.

A history which has taken time to catch fire. Since independence in 1992, Kyrgyz football hasn’t developed as quick as their neighbours has; Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and in particular Uzbekistan have all experienced greater success over the last 30 years. However, with the appointment of two Russian coaches over the last five years, Sergey Dvoiryankov and current coach Aleksandr Krestinin, the team has paved a way for an upward trajectory.

Under Dyoiryankov, a foundation was built on several nationalised recruits. Reaching from their former USSR compatriots and their European diaspora, to African born players playing their trade in the national league, the technical standard was quickly boosted. Their presence remains in the squad some six years later, however, it’s more a case of complementing their existing talent, rather than leading it.

Ghanaian centre back Daniel Tagoe (now married to a Kyrgyzstani) still features heavily in the starting line-up, Edgar Bernhardt who grew up in Germany, skippers the national team, while striker Vitalij Lux returned to bolster the attack of the country he left as a 6-year-old. It’s been a tough pursuit, that has cost the FFKR plenty, in scouting, logistics and paperwork, but the players who have come in have seen marked improvements made elsewhere.

While Dvoiryankov remodelled the personnel, Krestinin has worked his magic on the pitch. Kyrgyzstan have been regularly solid but little more, exiting to the likes of Maldives and Turkmenistan in their two most recent Asian Challenge Cup group stages. Krestinin has since introduced a more balanced approach, which has seen a transition to an attack focussed set up, enabling the very best of the key players in their armoury.

Anton Zemilanukhin, a left winger who has a wealth of experience in several outposts across the East (from Kazakhstan to Thailand), became the pivotal figure in qualification, scoring 10 across both qualification stages, whilst making a name for himself in the Australian media along the way. His pace, alongside the consistency of Lux in attack, with fellow German based Viktor Maier galloping down the right flank made for a varied forward line.

Another tactical point of note involves defensive anchor Bakhtiyar Duyshobekov. A holding midfielder in the main, the 23-year-old has been pivotal to Kyrgyzstan’s setup over the last couple of years, adding flexibility and positional awareness to the side. Under no illusions, given their calibre of opponents, Duyshobekov will likely operate as a central defender to start with, in a back five, but has the capacity to manoeuvre forward with possession, either into a holding role, or to burst forward into attack.

With an exciting breed of players, all isn’t so rosy ahead of the Asian Cup however. Zemilanukhin has struggled for fitness and minutes over the last year, failing in Kazakhstan, before picking up injuries upon return to his homeland. Budget restrictions have also limited the number of players plying their trade overseas in returning in warm up friendlies; Valery Kichin (playing in Russia), Azamat Baimatov (Indonesia), Lux and Maier (both Germany) have been missing for a while, leading to questions over consistency or whether they’ll even be able to select their best squad come January.

The final point is sheer quality. Even with their sprinkling of overseas based talents, Kyrgyzstan’s world ranking is misleading, and will likely feel the gap in quality in each of their three matches. Facing an old foe from their Challenge Cup days long passed in the Philippines, offers Krestinin’s side the best chance of points, who’s tactics alone could put them into contention.

Key Men

Head Coach - Aleksandr Krestinin (RUS)

The Russian coach is highly credited for Kyrgyzstan’s upward trajectory at all levels of the game since taking charge in 2014, highlighted by the country’s achievement of qualifying for the Asian Cup, their first major tournament since independence. Has shared his role as national team head coach, with club side Dordoi Bishkek over the last year, securing the domestic double in his first full season.

Star Player - Bakhtiyar Duyshobekov

Has become Krestinin’s key man in both defensive and attacking play, despite a role that’ll likely see him stationed in amongst their back five for large parts of their campaign. Has considerable experience of playing outside of Kyrgyzstan, most recently in Malaysia, but also the confidence to take responsibility and dictate play from deep.

Fitness Concern - Anton Zemlianukhin

The side’s talisman in front of goal and leading marksman scoring 10 times over the course of qualification. Operating in behind the lone front man, the inverted winger has struggled for fitness and regular game time after returning home from an unsuccessful spell in Kazakhstan at the start the year, has still the quality to hurt any opponent on the counter.

Young Prospect - Odilzhon Aburakhmaoev

One of Kyrgyzstan’s most impressive performers at this year’s Asian Games, as the White Falcons made South Korea sweat along their way to military exemption. Has proven to be a worthy option in behind the Kyrgyz attack, appearing off the bench impressively a few times for the seniors in the last year.