Tajikistan defeated Islamic Republic of Iran 3-1

Both teams needed victory to stand a chance of advancing and Tajikistan took the game to Iran from the start, with Muhammad Nazriev squeezing in between two defenders only to head over the bar in the 7th minute.

Their pressing paid off in the 12th minute when a defensive mistake saw the ball land kindly for Mekhrubon Odilzoda, who drilled in a shot that took a deflection before going past a helpless Abolfazl Khalilian.

The Iran custodian was kept on his toes, making two successive saves nine minutes later to prevent Ramazon Bakhtaliev and Nazriev from adding to the scoreline and then again in the 29th minute from Ahmadjon Shoev.

Tajikistan did not seem to miss key defender Mehrojidin Rozykov, who was sent off in their match against DPR Korea, and their defence dealt swiftly with Iran’s offensive line, which had no shots on target in the first half.

Iran came in after the break with more vigour, but it was Tajikistan’s Abdullo Ibragimzoda who took the first shot at goal but his curling effort from the left of the box bounced off the bar.

Champions in 2008, Iran drew level when Omid Gharahchomaghloo found space on the right in the 52nd minute and drilled a low shot past Abubakr Rahmonqulov.

The equaliser galvanised Iran, with Ehsan Kheradpisheh trying his luck with a downward header from just outside the six yard box in the 58th minute that landed in Rahmonqulov’s arms.

Tajikistan regrouped and scored their second in the 67th minute after Shoev collected a through ball from Odilzoda and sent a shot from close range that rocketed past Khalilian.

Boosted by the goal, Tajikistan continued applying pressure and Abdullo Ibragimzoda put the match beyond doubt when he picked up the ball on the edge of the box and sent a low shot past a rooted Khalilian in the 89th minute. afc/fir