Tajikistan, the Cinderella of the Asian Cup who qualified for the quarterfinals and celebrates by breaking the glasses of her particular coach

Just under a year ago, Tajikistan drew 0-0 against United Arab Emirates a friendly meeting. The result of that March 25, 2023 was anecdotal, because in reality what was recorded was the video of DT Petar Segrt haranguing the 20 fans! who had encouraged his choice. On Sunday, the small landlocked sovereign country located in the middle of the continent revolutionized itself by defeating the same rival on penalties and qualify for the quarter-finals of the Asian Cuphis first participation in that competition.

During this historic presence in the continent’s top national team tournament, Croatian coach Segrt had already had two glasses broken during his players’ celebrations. Most likely the third was when this Sunday he flew through the air of the Ahmad bin Ali stadium, in Al Rayyan, pushed by his players. 5-3 minutes later on penalties, after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time.

“Every time there is a goal the players hug me and I have already broken two glasses”had confessed Segrt, the colorful 57-year-old coach who is a true football globetrotter and who was once physically compared to Albert Einstein. His touring career saw him conduct in Austria and Indonesia before taking over Georgia, Maldives AND Afghanistanwhere he experienced violent situations such as concentration bombings.

But success came with Tajikistan, a team ranked 106th in the FIFA rankings, the poorest of the former Soviet republics and a landlocked nation with a population of less than 10 million people.

“This is football. Each of us has a dream”, Segrt said after passing the group stage with the team he led two years ago. tied with China (0-0), lost with Qatar (0-1) and defeated atrociously Lebanon reach the round of 16.

United Arab Emirates, led by the famous Portuguese Paolo Bento, got the equalizer in the 95th minute thanks to defender Khalifa Al Hammadi. The Tajik team had taken the lead thanks to Vahdat Khanonov, 30 minutes into the first half. From eleven meters, Tajikistan scored all five shots. Caio Canedo missed the second scored by the United Arab Emirates, who were semi-finalists in the last edition.

Tajikistan – awaiting the winner of Iraq AND Jordan– has already played in a World Cup, the Under 17 one, in Brazil 2019, where in the last match of the group stage they faced Argentina, led at that time by Pablo Aimar, which was won 3 to 1.

Australia, also in the quarterfinals

Australia, the 2015 Asia Cup champions, batted Indonesia by 4 to 0, at the Jassim Bin Hamad stadium, in Doha, to enter the top eight. Indonesian defender Elkan Baggott against his block (12 minutes PT), forwards Martín Boyle (45 minutes PT) and Craig Goodwin (44 minutes PT) plus defender Harry Souttar (45 minutes PT), converted for the Oceania team .

The team led by Australian Graham Arnold will have to wait for the result of the match between Saudi Arabia AND South Korea which is played on Tuesday.

This Monday’s matches, broadcast on the Star+ platform, will be: Iraq-Jordan (08:30 Argentine time) and Qatar – Palestine (13:00).