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.

AFC International Week Focus (June)

It’s been more than 14 months since Asia’s elite nations last had the chance to test their metal with the World’s best in international friendlies, in that time of course we’ve raced through Round 2 of World Cup/Asian Cup qualification, finding out the final 12 in the race for Russia 2018. Alongside this window which saw the very best compete against some of Europe’s finest, of course preparing for their very own continental tournament, we also saw some inter-regional clashes in friendly tournaments and some competitive action for Asia’s minnows facing off in the first round of Asian Cup qualification playoffs.

Asia's Top 10 Friendlies

2014's World Cup was the clearest reminder of how Asia has fallen behind the rest of the world. From now on, if a major Asian nation with World Cup qualification aspirations isn't organising friendlies with Europe's elite during international windows, it's broadly seen as a missed opportunity. Australia have been at the forefront of this, after successfully drawing with Germany last year. This time it was less successful in terms of the results, but again Ange Postecoglou's side came out of their three fixtures with plenty of credit and admiring glances, suggesting a real improvement from 2015's Asian Cup victory.

A narrow defeat to England (1-2) was followed up with a win (1-0) and a defeat (1-2) at home to Greece. Every match had it's positives and negatives, while Postecoglou rolled out both 433/442-diamond formations that have become expected to followers of the Socceroos, while there were numerous debutants with varying levels of success. The next stage as the coach stated himself is to ensure more of his players are moving, and playing regularly in Europe, primed directly at midfielder Aaron Mooy who's likely to leave Melbourne City this summer.

Elsewhere the greatest success story of the week came through Iran, who recorded back to back victories against Macedonia (3-1) and Kyrgyzstan (6-0). Hardly the kind of tests they'd desired, given their Croatia friendly fell through late on, but it was another decent opportunity to illustrate their attacking capabilities, Sardar Azmoun in particular impressing with four goals over the week.

It was a very up and down week for Korea Republic followers, initially getting smashed 6-1 to European champions Spain, before redeeming themselves somewhat with a 2-1 win over Czech Republic. The first result will however linger long in the memory, as this match was promoted as Korea's chance to illustrate how far they'd come under Uli Stielike, having not lost since their Asian Cup final appearance last January. The loss was greeted with disdain, some comparing it to the country's most embarrassing defeat in their history, something that needs to evaporate quickly ahead of their World Cup qualification return.

Also this week, China PR predictably opted to stay at home, as they've been known to for year's of international windows, mainly due to their lack of European based talent. Hence their opposition was at a weaker level, with established nations warming up for their respective continental tournaments. A 4-2 victory over Trinidad & Tabago followed by a shock loss to Kazakhstan does little in inspiring the nation however, especially given their limp progression to WCQ Round 3 in March. Amidst the disappointment strikers Jiang Ning and Zhang Yuning helped their causes with promising displays against T&T. The former notched his fourth in three starts since his return from three years away from the national team setup, while the latter scored a brace and laid on another for Jiang on his debut.

In Kirin Cup action, the first edition of the tournament that included more than two teams taking part in it for 5 years, hosts Japan broadly met current expectations. Facing European sides free from Euro 2016 commitments. Japan waltzed past Bulgaria 7-2, underlining their ability to fly past teams who they dominate possession against, before losing to Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 in the final, illustrating some of the same shortfalls that have been present for a while. One being the lack of fighting spirit or physical grit needed to compete against other continents, highlighted by coach Vahid Halilhodzic. It remains the same old story sadly.

Finally, considering the one off friendlies of Asia's elite, Uzbekistan who had their friendly against Equatorial Guinea cancelled earlier in the week went on to taste defeat against Canada in their encounter in Austria, while Qatar, who also traveled to central Europe, despite a promising opening went on to lose 3-1 against Euro 2016 qualified but considerable outsiders Albania.

King’s Cup

Thailand's King's Cup, a regular friendly tournament usually a place for Youth team experimentation felt a much more worthwhile venture this year with fellow WCQ Round 3 qualified nations UAE and Syria alongside a continental Top 10 side Jordan. For one it allowed an interesting look at those outsiders for World Cup qualification, but for another it pitted the West of Asia against Thailand in the East Asians back yard. 

The Thais became eventual victors first avoiding a scare against Syria in the semis, initially losing a 2-0 lead before progressing on penalties, while in the final they eased past Jordan 2-0 for their first title in the event since 2007. Jordan themselves will be happy with their efforts given their devastating exit in World Cup qualification in March, while rebuilding under a home coach such as current caretaker Abdullah Abu Zema, already illustrates the benefits of not extending Harry Redknapp's brief spell in the national team hot seat.

Syria bounced back from defeat on penalties to Thailand by clinching third over UAE. National pride was at stake, if nothing else given both nations were missing key players, however results such as these do offer hope that Syrian expectations in WCQ don't necessarily need to be so low.

AYA Bank Cup

Elsewhere in the region, Myanmar hosted the inaugural AYA Bank Cup in Yangon. Vietnam who made it through to the final with a penalty shoot out win over Hong Kong, clinched the title with style easing past Singapore 3-0 in the final. For the losers it was another disappointing week of football. They did clinch a debut victory for incoming boss Varadaraju Sundramoorthy, however they did do it against the run of play against the hosts in the semi-finals.

Overall it was a case of what could have been for Myanmar, often regarded as a minnow of South East Asian football, they more than competed once again. After cruelly being beaten by Singapore in the semis they eased past Hong Kong 3-0 to clinch third. All four East Asian nations will take part in Asian Cup Qualification Round 3 when the group state returns in March. 

Asian Cup Qualification Playoffs

Speaking of ACQ Round 3, there were still 8 places to be decided, to be determined over two rounds of home/away playoffs, the first of which took place this week. Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Tajikistan and Yemen all clinched their place in March's group stage, while the losers will be given another chance to redeem themselves when they join Bhutan in September/October's second batch of playoffs.

The first tie between Cambodia and Chinese Taipei was broadly seen as a match up of two of the worst sides from WCQ Round 2, however provided one the most entertaining ties of the week. Cambodia's successful 4-2 on aggregate victory after initially clinching a 2-2 draw away in Taiwan can be attributed to a fantastic home support in excess of 50,000 in Phnom Penh. Keo Sokpheng stood out in particular over both matches as a talented wide midfielder, in what was a heated battle on and off the ball.

India went someway to proving their doubters wrong with a comprehensive 7-1 aggregate win over Laos, including a 6-1 thrashing upon their return home. There was much needed hope in the goal scoring department, something they've relied upon for so long from ageing central striker Sunil Chhetri. A possible successor is within their midst, Jeje Lalpekhlua scored the decisive goal in Vientiane before opening the scoring back in Guwahati.

Effective back-to-back home legs for Malaysia produced the same result, two 3-0 wins over Timor-Leste that assured their progression. While Malaysia looked a side back in full confidence, the state of East Timorese football continues to fall to a new low. Another example of putting their faith in either ageing Brazilian born nationalised players or local teenagers continues to falter. It often looks like a financial situation that contradicts its self, assuming they are paying considerable amounts to fly in Brazilian talent from their club bases across Asia, however they continue to lack the relevant resources, again turning up in fake knockoff Adidas kits for the matches.

On a more pleasing note, Tajikistan look a side that are moving quickly up the gears at the bottom of Asia's international game. A 6-0 aggregate win over Bangladesh was conquered in relatively comfortable fashion, almost branding the return leg in Dhaka as a dead rubber, and so it was played like. They'll go into March's next round of qualification in high hopes, in practice they shouldn't have got themselves in such a state that they needed to go through the playoffs, however the fact they witnessed competitive football during this window will only aid their preparation going forward.

Finally, Yemen lived up to what I've been hoping of them over the last few years, recording dual 2-0 victories "home" and away against Maldives. Their island nation opponents were still getting to grips with losing Ali Ashfaq to impending retirement, while injury would've ruled him out anyway here, while Yemen finally replicated their proficiency in defence in clinical style in front of goal. Their victory ensured that only East Asian sides are left at the wrong end of Asian pyramid, as the next round of playoffs approach.