DUSHANBE, 05.10.2018 /NIAT “Khovar”/. The junior football team of Tajikistan (U-16), having beaten the team of South Korea (main time — 1:1, on penalties — 7:6), advanced to the AFC U-16 Championship Malaysia 2018 final. NIAT “Khovar” has been reported by the press service of Tajikistan Football Federation.

The goals of main time were scored by Ozodbek Panjiev (2nd minute, Tajikistan) and by Yun Suk Zhu (39th minute, South Korea).

Following the main time, according to the championship regulations, a penalty shootout was assigned. All 5 attempts each team implemented exactly, and then followed by one hit on each side before the first error.

South Korea on its seventh attempt made a mistake, more precisely, the goalkeeper of our team Mukhriddin Hasanov once again became a hero, having beaten off a penalty! Muhammadrasul Lutfulloev with a precise blow brought the junior team of Tajikistan to the Asian Championship final — the first in the history of Tajik football.

In their first final at the Asian Championship, Tajik juniors will play against their peers from Japan on Sunday, October 7, at 20:45 local time (17:45 – Dushanbe time).

We will recall that the teams of Japan and Tajikistan have previously played in the group stage. Then the match ended in a goalless draw.