DUSHANBE, 02.04.2019. (NIAT Khovar) – A pre-match press conference with Istiqlol FC’s head coach Hakim Fuzailov, the team’s captain Fathullo Fathulloev, Khujand FC’s head coach Numonjon Yusupov and Khujand’s defender Oybek Abdugafforov was held today in Dushanbe.

The match of the first round of the AFC Cup 2019 group stage between Istiklol FC and Khujand FC will be held tomorrow, reported the Football Federation of Tajikistan.

Mentioning that the match against Khujand FC was good, Fuzailov noted that he had expected it to be ridden with struggle.

“I have no doubt that tomorrow’s match in the AFC Cup will involve bitter struggle. Khujand FC will play the role of a wounded beast. It will try to rehabilitate itself in front of its fans for the defeat in the country’s Super Cup, but we are ready for battle. We do not adjust to the opponent’s tactics,” said Fuzailov.

“The mood for the match will be full of fervor, even more so than in the Super Cup match. You can be sure,” added Fuzailov.

Regarding Sheriddin Boboev’s nonparticipation in the match, Fuzailov noted his injuries as the main reason.
“Why doesn’t Sheriddin Boboev play? During our preparation for the season, he and Tabrezi Davlatmir were often involved in the Olympic team of Tajikistan and played a little for Istiklol FC at the training camp. Additionally, due to injuries, they missed a certain number of matches for our team. They need time. I am sure that they will get more,” said Fuzailov.

“I take this opportunity to call on all the fans for tomorrow’s match. Despite the rainy weather there were a lot of fans in the Super Cup match. I hope that tomorrow the fans will support both teams Moreover, this is a historical match. For the first time in history, two clubs from Tajikistan will play against each other within the AFC Cup,” he added in closing.

Fathulloev’s opinion concurred with that of Fuzailov’s about the match against Khujand FC. Though the match was “tough,” the team is well prepared for tomorrow’s match.

“We are well prepared for tomorrow’s match. I am sure that the match against Khujand FC in the AFC Cup will be interesting and no one will have an easy victory,” noted Fathulloev.

“I want to invite all the fans to the upcoming match by the press. It is more pleasant to play if there are more fans at the stadium. By the way, thanks to our fans for their support in the last match for the Super Cup. The support was crazy!,” exclaimed Fathulloev.

Numonjon Yusupov, head coach of Khujand FC also expect tomorrow’s match to be tough.

“The opponent is very strong and serious. Istiklol FC is one of the main favorites not only of our group, but also of the whole AFC Cup. In a recent match for Tajikistan’s Super Cup, many of our guys could not cope with the pressure, this ultimately affected the match,” said Yusupov.

“Some of our guys do not have enough experience in such important and serious matches. Additionally, after the return match with Turkmenistan’s Ahal FC, we did not have serious sparring matches. In my opinion, this also affected the match for the country’s Super Cup,” he added.

In preparation for the game, the team had analyzed previous matches, focusing in on where the mistakes were made. The goal is to do better in tomorrow’s game.

“I think that the guys will be more responsible tomorrow. The status of the match itself does not allow us to go out with apprehension. We will try to play more successfully tomorrow than in the match for the Super Cup of Tajikistan,” said Yusupov.

“I also want to apologize to our fans for the negative result in the match for the Super Cup. Any negative result is a lesson. I want to call on all our fans to come to the stadium tomorrow and support the team in such a difficult fight against Istiklol FC. We will try to play well. We will play for our fans,” added Yusupov.

The plan is to change not only the composition, but also the strategy.

“Our task in the AFC Cup is to play successfully and to gain experience. Our group is one of the strongest in the tournament. We will play against opponents who are the basic clubs of their national teams,” noted Yusupov.

Oybek Abdugafforov, defender for Khujand FC feels that the team has learned from its previous defeat and is ready for the match against Istiklol FC.

“We made conclusions from the mistakes that were made in the match for the Super Cup. We came here to battle the opponent. This is our first match in the AFC Cup group stage. The guys are serious about the match,” said Adbugafforov.

“I would like to appeal to the fans to come and support us. We, in turn, will give our all on the field one hundred percent, and try not to disappoint them,” he added.