AFC U-16: Tajikistan Reaches Final For First Time

PETALING JAYA (Selangor, Malaysia) Oct 5 (Bernama) -- Tajikistan created history by qualifying for the AFC Championship Under 16 (U-16) final for the first time after beating two-time champions South Korea 7-6 through a penalty shoot-out in the semi-final at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium (MBPJ), Kelana Jaya, here Thursday night. The match had to be determined through a penalty shoot-out after both teams were tied to 1-1 in the full game. The win would see the Central Asian team squaring off against Japan in the final at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Sunday. Earlier, Japan, who were two-time champions, confirmed a ticket to the final after winning in 3-1 in style over Australia in another semi-final match at the National Stadium Thursday evening. In the action that evening, Tajikistan was ahead ahead as early as the second minute by Panzhiev Ozodbek who pushed the ball through via a free kick taken by Zabirov Nidoyor. South Korea managed to equalise in the 38th minute after Yoon Suk Ju headed in a corner kick from a teammate and the 1-1 result remained until the game ended, as well as forcing the match to be determined by a penalty shootout. For the record, Tajikistan and South Korea qualified for the U-17 World Cup in Peru next year after reaching the semi-finals of the AFC U-16 Championship. -- BERNAMA