CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Tajikistan team photo during the international friendly match between Malaysia and Tajikistan at 700th Anniversary Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. (Photo by Supakit Wisetanuphong/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tajikistan won their first King’s Cup title with a 3-0 penalty shoot-out victory over Malaysia after the final ended 0-0 in Chiang Mai on Sunday night. Tajikistan goalkeeper Rustam Jatimov was the hero…
Tajikistan goalkeeper Rustam Jatimov was the hero with two saves, with the third Malaysian effort hitting the crossbar at Chiang Mai’s 700th Anniversary Stadium.
Malaysia had beaten Thailand and Tajikistan had defeated Trinidad and Tobago in their opening games of the 48th King’s Cup to set up the title showdown.
The final kicked off in wet conditions with the pitch soaked by a heavy downpour but Tajikistan were quicker as they dominated the opening 10 minutes.
Malaysia, however, gradually grew into the game but with the pitch made heavy by rain, both sides struggled to make much headway and the first half ended in a goalless stalemate. Both sides tried to overcome…
Both sides tried to overcome the conditions in the second half but a goal eluded them as the match went into a penalty shoot-out at the end of 90 minutes.
Tajikistan captain Ahtam Nazarov missed their opening spot-kick, muffing his Panenka shot but earned a reprieve when Jatimov made a fingertip save to deny Malaysia skipper Dion Johan Cools.
Vakhdat Khanonov then made no mistake with his effort with Nazarov giving Tajikistan a boost by denying Nazmi Faiz Mansor.
Komron Tursunov put Tajikistan further ahead and Safawi Rasid, with the pressure on, saw his effort rebound off the crossbar.
Rustom Soirov then sealed the title for Tajikistan as they celebrated by mobbing custodian Nazarov.
Earlier on Sunday, Thailand beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 in the third-place play-off.
Thailand coach Mano Polking admitted that he and his players were disappointed that the War Elephants failed to reach the final.
However, he chose to look on the bright side saying he was satisfied with the performances of newcomers in the third-place match.
The Brazilian made eight changes to the starting line-up which lost to Malaysia.
The Brazilian made eight changes to the starting line-up which lost to Malaysia.
