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Tajikistan Higher League: Ones to watch for 2021

News, Tajikistan Higher League

We hand-pick five players who are set to perform in Tajikistan’s top tier in 2021.

Elchibek Rashidbekov (CSKA)

Brought in to bolster the CSKA strike force, the front man signed from local rivals Dushanbe-83 in January. He plundered six goals in 18 appearances last season.

Ilhomjon Barotov (Istaravshan)

The league’s top scorer in 2020 with an 18-goal haul, the forward tucked in an impressive five goals in the season’s penultimate tie. The 30-year-old will be looking forward to his fourth consecutive season with the Northern Tigers.

Watch: Barotov hits five against Fayzkand

Alisher Dzhalilov (Istiklol)

A Lokomotiv Moskva youth system graduate and former Rubin Kazan employee, the 27-year-old has settled into his role as Istiklol skipper. The playmaker netted 12 league goals in 2020.

Dilshod Bozorov (Khujand)

At 31, the No10 converted eight times as Khujand finished runners-up last season. The Tajikistan international, who joined the club in 2015, will surely be a key player in 2021.

Amirdzhoni Farruhzod (Ravshan)

Farruhzod contributed six goals in Ravshan’s second tier-winning campaign, as well as proving to be an important component in their unlikely 2020 Tajik Cup triumph.

Tajikistan Higher League: gameweek 18

Match Reports, News

4th October 2020
Tajikistan Higher League
Gameweek 18

Regar-TadAZ 2-4 Kuktosh

(Bobodjonov 17, Boboev 90+4pen; Dieudoni 26 89, Sultonov 58, Ahmedov o.g 69) 

 Istaravshan 1-1 Khatlon

(Barotov 60pen; Bikatal 64)

Dushanbe-83 1-2 Istiklol

(Jones 38; M. Dzhalilov 74 84)

Fayzkand 1-0 Lokomotiv

 (Uzokov 90+4)

Khujand 1-2 CSKA

(Ergashev 68; Barotov o.g 76, Mabatshoev 80)

Tajikistan Higher League: gameweek 17

Match Reports, News

29th-30th September 2020
Tajikistan Higher League
Gameweek 17

Istaravshan 5-2 Fayzkand

(Barotov 11pen, 50, 68, 90+2, 90+4; Ikromov 86, Solekhov 90+5)

Barotov hit five as the Northern Tigers demolished Fayzand to seal their spot in the Higher League next season. The striker completed his hat-trick with the standout finish of the fixture; lobbing the keeper from long-range. Ikromov snuck through the Istaravshan back line, and Solekhov fired in late on for the visitors, only for Barotov to hit his fourth and fifth of the match and cap off a resounding victory.

Highlights: Istaravshan 5-2 Fayzkand

Kuktosh 1-1 Istiklol

( Yodgorov 70; M. Dzhalilov 16pen) 

Istiklol’s dip in form continued as the penultimate match of the season finished level in Kuktosh. Yodgorov’s bending effort in the second half cancelled out M. Dzhalilov’s 16th-minute opener from the penalty spot.

Highlights: Kuktosh 1-1 Istiklol

Regar-TadAZ 1-2 Khujand

(Ergashev 78; Fathulloev 64, Aliyev 77)

It took until the 64th minute for Fathulloev to break the deadlock, rounding off a weaving run to fire home from an acute angle. Aliyev doubled their advantage with a fine finish on the stretch, as his heavy first touch looked to have escaped him. Regar’s Ergashev hit back immediately as Khujand failed to clear their lines, but his acrobatic manoeuvre was the only response they could muster.

CSKA 3-1 Dushanbe-83

(Davlatbekov 1, Bobiev 41pen, Mabatshoev 85; Rashidbekov 62pen)

Davlatbekov’s first-minute opener set the tone, turning in from close-range as the keeper spilled into the midfielder’s path. Bobiev dispatched from the spot minutes before the half-time whistle, however, Rashidbekov reduced the deficit converting a Dushanbe-83 penalty in the second period. Mabatshoev put the game to bed late on, rising highest to glance home.

Khatlon 0-0 Lokomotiv

Tajikistan Higher League: gameweek 16

Match Reports, News

26th-27th September 2020
Tajikistan Higher League
Gameweek 16

Khatlon 2-3 Khujand

(Sharipov 64, Baki-Akhunov 90 + 2; Bozorov 4, Fathulloev 12, Ergashev 30)

CSKA 1-0 Istiklol

(Davlatbekov 39)

Kuktosh 2-2 Istaravshan

(Abdugafforov 20, Mbeke 42; Karimov 4, Shamsiev, 90 + 2)

Regar-TadAZ 1-0 Faizkand

(Ergashev 90 + 3)

Dushanbe-83 1-0 Lokomotiv

(Kholov 17 o.g)

Tajikistan Higher League: gameweek 15

Match Reports, News

19th-20th September 2020
Tajikistan Higher League
Gameweek 15

Khatlon 1-1 Istiklol

(Soirov 45+3; Saidov 47pen)

Istiklol secured their ninth Tajikistan Higher League title with three matches remaining, despite being held to a draw at Khatlon. From a short corner, A. Dzhalilov cued up Soirov to curl in, catching the keeper off guard at his near post seconds before the half-time whistle. The hosts equalised shortly after the restart, as Saidov dispatched from the penalty spot to share the spoils.

Istaravshan 4-0 Regar-TadAZ

(Barotov 22 65 71, Kurbanov 87)

Barotov bagged a hat-trick as Istaravshan thrashed Regar-AZ to bounce back from consecutive defeats. The No10 dinked over the onrushing keeper to break the deadlock, before missing an opportunity to double, riffling off the post from the spot. Barotov’s redemption came in the second half, as the striker scooped in from close-range; the keeper spilling his initial low drive. The frontman arrowed in his third from the edge of the area, before Kurbanov tucked in to cap off an emphatic Northern Tigers victory.

Khujand 1-2 Kuktosh 

(Malodustov 36; Siebatcheu 49, Saidkhoja 56pen)

Malodustov’s close-range volley gave Khujand the lead after 36 minutes. Siebatcheu’s second-half header cancelled out the hosts’ advantage, before Saidkhoja stroked in from the spot for Kuktosh to take away all three points.

Lokomotiv-Pamir 3-2 CSKA

(Khasanov 56, Panjiev 60, Safarov 87; Mabatshoev 31pen, Gafforov 69)

Fayzkand 1-1 Dushanbe-83

(Solekhov 72pen; Leonel 16)

Tajikistan Higher League: gameweek 14

Match Reports, News

7th-11th September 2020
Tajikistan Higher League
Gameweek 14

Istiklol 6-1 Regar-TadAZ

(Boboev 5 17 34 68, Rakhimov 9, A. Dzhalilov 83; Mahamadiev 47)

Boboev glanced in the first of his four goals inside five minutes, connecting with Rakhimov’s pinpoint delivery from the right. Rakhimov’s speculative effort from distance bobbled in to double the hosts’ advantage, before Boboev tucked in goals three and four. The second half under way, Mahamadiev pulled one back for Regar as the Lions momentarily switched off. Boboev steered in his fourth, and A. Dzhalilov capped off a commanding victory, pouncing to side-foot home as the keeper fumbled. 

Highlights: Istiklol 6-1 Regar-TadAZ

Khujand 2-1 Istaravshan

(Bozorov 10, Fatkhulloev 54; Ashurmamadov 23)

Breaking the deadlock inside 10 minutes, Bozorov fired in at the near post, before Ashurmamadov levelled as a goal-mouth scramble ensued from a corner kick. Fatkhulloev’s second-half strike, however, proved decisive as Khujand edged the Northern Tigers in Istaravshan.

Highlights: Khujand 2-1 Istaravshan

Dushanbe-83 1-1 Khatlon

(Jones 77; Saidov 64)

The sides shared the spoils in the Tajik capital as Jones’ leaping header from Imomnazarov’s whipped delivery cancelled out Saidov’s 63rd-minute penalty.

Highlights: Dushanbe-83 1-1 Khatlon

Lokomotiv Pamir 2-1 Kuktosh 

(Sharipov 37, Zoirov 64; Odilov 33)

Fayzkand 1-1 CSKA  

(Murodov 12; Gaidash 67)

Tajikistan Higher League: gameweek 8

Match Reports, News, Tajikistan Higher League

4th-5th July 2020
Tajikistan Higher League
Gameweek 8

Fayzkand 0-4 Istiklol

(M. Dzhalilov, Boboev 24, A. Dzhalilov 29 43)

Highlights: Fayzkand 0-4 Istiklol

Lokomotiv 0-2 Khujand

(Bozorov 3, Chakalov 62)

Highlights: Lokomotiv 0-2 Khujand

Dushanbe-83 3-3 Istaravshan

(Rashidbekov 27, Abdulloev 39, Rashidbekov 60; Barotov 17pen, Khomidov 23, Barotov 83) 

Highlights: Dushanbe-83 3-3 Istaravshan

CSKA 3-1 Regar-TadAZ

(Vosiev 28,  Mabatshoev 45 + 2 89; Bobodjonov 79)

Khatlon 2-1 Kuktosh

(Uzokov 25, Ismoilov 86; Sultonov 89) 

Tajikistan Higher League: gameweek 7

Match Reports, News, Tajikistan Higher League

27th-28th June 2020
Tajikistan Higher League
Gameweek 7

Khujand 1-3 Istiklol

(Rikhsiboev 3; M. Dzhalilov, A. Dzhalilov 77, Orazsähedow 90+1)

Manuchekhr Dzhalilov bundled in from a corner to cancel out Sanjar Rikhsiboev’s unexpected third-minute opener. Istiklol eventually gained control of the tie on 77 minutes, when Alisher Dzhalilov’s floated cross-cum-shot deceived the Khujand custodian to give Istiklol the lead. There was no let up for the hosts as the Lions continued to attack, Wahyt Orazsähedow driving into the bottom corner in injury time to remain at the league’s pinnacle.

Regar-TadAZ 1-2 Dunshanbe-83

(Ruziev 88 og; Jones, 45 + 1, Aminu 69)

With a minute of first-half stoppage time remaining, Agbley Jones fired home as the Regar defence were suckered in by Elchibek Rashidbekov’s enterprising run. Idris Aminu doubled for Dushanbe, striking low to cap a storming run from deep. Despite a late slip up when Izatullo Ruziev turned into his own net, Dushanbe-83 held on to claim their second consecutive win. 

Istaravshan 2-0 Lokomotiv Pamir

(Barotov 53 90+1)

Khatlon 1-1 Fayzkand

(Baki-Akhunov 69; Baratov 59)

Kuktosh 0-0 CSKA

Tajikistan Higher League: gameweek 7 highlights

Tajikistan Higher League: gameweek 6

Match Reports, Tajikistan Higher League

20th-21st June 2020
Tajikistan Higher League
Gameweek 6

Istiklol 8-0 Istaravshan

(Boboev 14, Larin 16, A. Dzhalilov 50 90, Soirov 77, Orazsähedow 78, M. Dzhalilov 85, Panshanbe 88)

Torn apart by Istiklol, Istaravshan’s woes deepen

As Istaravshan failed to clear their lines, Sherriddin Boboev finished off Iskandar Dzhalilov’s marauding run from the right, guiding in with the outside of his boot inside 14 minutes. Ukainian Oleksiy Larin doubled Istiklol’s lead minutes later, bending in directly from a corner. Larin pounced as the visitors attempted to play out from the back, intercepting a wayward pass to tee up Alisher Dzhalilov who struck first time to make it 3-0. Rustam Soirov capped off a slick Istiklol combination to claim their fourth, and Wahyt Orazsähedow turned in number five. There was no let up for Istaravshan, as Manuchekhr Dzhalilov slotted in from a tight angle, Ehson Panjshanbe curled in from distance and A. Dzhalilov thumped in his second to round off a resounding victory. 

Highlights: Istiklol 8-0 Istaravshan

Lokomotiv Pamir 1-2 Regar-TadAZ

(Khasanov 79; Akhemdov 2, Ergashev 6)

Loko’s losing streak continues

Yokubjon Akhmedov rose highest to glance in Regar’s opener inside two minutes. Dorobjon Ergashev made it 2-0 on six minutes, allowed to connect with an inswinging corner unmarked. Hakin Khasanov sparked Loko’s resurgence, lifting over the keeper in the 79th minute, but it was too little too late for the hosts.

Highlights: Lokomotiv Pamir 1-2 Regar-TadAZ

Fayzkand 0-3 Khujand

(Bozorov 5 63, Safarov 90+3)

Dushanbe-83 2-1 Kuktosh

(Rashidbekov 71, Aminu 88; Daler 38)

CSKA 2-1 Khatlon

(Gaforov 19, Kalandarov B. 34; Baki-Akhunov 13)

Tajikistan Higher League: gameweek 5

Match Reports, News

16th-17th June 2020
Tajikistan Higher League
Gameweek 5

Regar-TadAZ 1-6 Istiklol

(Safarov 60; Panjshanbe 28, Boboev 36, A .Dhzalilov 61, Orazsähedow 76, Rakhimov 78, Soirov 87)

The Lions keep league top spot with Regar romp

Ehson Panjshanbe gave the visitors a 28th-minute lead, intercepting a sloppy clearance with his chest, hooking it onto his right and firing home. Doubling the deficit, Fatkhullo Boboev arrived in the hosts’ penalty area unmarked to routinely slot into the bottom corner inside 36 minutes. 

It took until the second half for the hosts to strike back, Oyatullo Safarov’s looping delivery deceiving the Lions’ keeper to nestle into the back of the net on the hour mark. Their hope of recovery wasn’t long lived, however, as Ehson Panjshanbem picked out the Istiklol skipper Alisher Dhzalilov, who steered in from close range one minute later.

Turkmenistan striker Wahyt Orazsähedow hit Istiklol’s fourth, before Muhammadjon Rakhimov added another, latching onto to A. Dhzalilov’s defence-piercing ball to tuck in. Rustam Soirov added an extra sheen to the scoreline, cruising goalwards unchallenged to make it six.

Highlights: Regar-TadAZ 1-6 Istiklol

CSKA Pamir Dushanbe 1-1 Fayzkand

(Gafforov 57; Safarzoda 72)

Shodibek Gafforov glanced in from Muhammadjon Rakhimov’s free-kick, whipped in dangerously from the right, to break the deadlock on 57 minutes. Fakhriddin Safarzoda supplied Fayzkand’s leveller, getting a crucial touch on an inswinging delivery.

Highlights: CSKA Pamir Dushanbe 1-1 Fayzkand

Istaravshan 1-2 Khujand

(Barotov 10; Safarov 62, Abdugafforov 78pen)

Mbeke Siebatcheu’s smart ball over the top found Ilhomjon Barotov, whose first-time finish put the Northern Tigers ahead in the 10th minute. As the tie moved into the final third, Manuchehr Safarov headed Khujand’s equaliser, before Oybek Abdugafforov dispatched the winner from the penalty spot on 78 minutes.

Highlights: Istaravshan 1-2 Khujand

Kuktosh 1-0 Lokomotiv Pamir

(Abdugafforov 35)

Khatlon 1-0 Dushanbe-83

(Sharipov 70)