DUSHANBE, 10.10.2023 (NIAT Khovar) – The coaching staff of the Tajik national team led by Croatian specialist Petr Segrt announced the squad of the national team for the Merdeka Cup 2023 tournament, which will be held in Malaysia.

The team included 23 players, including 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 8 midfielders and 4 forwards. Four players from the country’s Olympic team (U-23) were called up to the national team for the first time — goalkeeper Suhrobhudzha Yusupov (CSKA), defender Fakhriddin Ahtamov (Khujand), midfielders Ruslan Khailoev (Tyumen, Russia) and Alisher Shukurov (Kuktosh) ), as well as defenders of the country’s youth team (U-17) – Dilovar Jamshedzoda and Barakatullo Nigmatullozoda, playing in Hissor’s “Barkchi”.

Due to the preparation of Istiklol at the group stage matches of the 2023/24 AFC Champions League, the national team’s coaching staff did not call the players of the Dushanbe club in the October days of FIFA.

At the Merdeka Cup 2023 tournament, Tajikistan will play against Palestine on October 13. In another semi-final match, Malaysia will meet with India.

The winners of the semi-finals will meet in the final on October 17, and the losing teams will compete for bronze medals. All matches will be played at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.