Nine rounds into the Tajikistan Higher League, we take a look at the state of play.
Winning four games by at least a five-goal margin, Istiklol’s unbeaten run has seen them tighten their grip at the top. CSKA have overturned a rocky start; finding their feet in gameweek five, and top-tier newcomers Dushanbe-83 have exceeded expectations and sit mid-table. Istiklol’s Dzhalilov brothers have dominated the scoring; Manuchekhr on 10 and Alisher on 8.
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.
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.
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.
The Tajikistan Higher League returns on Tuesday 16 June 2020 – here’s a rundown of everything you need to know from the competition’s first four weeks.
The league standings Istiklol currently top the table, but only narrowly, as Khatlon are hot on their heals in second place on goal difference. Bottom of the table, struggling Istaravshan are yet to collect a point, losing all four of their matches this season.
Manuchekhr Dzhalilov scores for Istiklol
Who is the top goalscorer? Istiklol’s Manuchekhr Dzhalilov has already netted seven league goals this season. A hat-trick – which included an acrobatic flying volley – on gameweek one, and two on both gameweek three and four.
The 29-year-old striker has returned to Istiklol having failed to make his mark in Indonesia with stints at Sriwijaya and Persebaya. That’s good news for Istiklol fans, no less. The 29-year-old striker played for the club between 2015-17, scoring 59 goals in 47 appearances.
Highest scoring games So far, two games have finished with a seven-goal scoreline – both Istiklol victories (6-1 against Kuktosh, 0-7 against Dushanbe-83).
Best individual performances Three hat-tricks have been scored so far this season. Manuchekhr Dzhalilov registered the first in Istiklol’s demolition of Dushanbe-83 in their season opener. Istiklol’s 17-year-old Rustam Soirov hit three on gameweek four’s romp over Kuktosh. In the same gameweek, Khatlon’s Khudoidod Uzokov took home the match ball in their 3-2 victory away to Lokomotiv Pamir.
Wondering which Tajik team you should pledge allegiance to? Here’s the lowdown.
We have put together this handy guide to help you decide which Tajik team you are going to get behind this season.
The firm favourites and rank outsiders
Istiklol’s Manuchekhr Dzhalilov celebrates
Champions for the past six seasons, Istiklol could be the club for the glory hunters among us. Going by their successful start to the season, yet to lose, they are strong favourites to hoist the cup once more.
Comparing his team to Barcelona, club captain Alisher Dzhalilov describes Istiklol’s playing style as “attractive, well-orchestrated”.
Before Istiklol’s reign at the top, Regar-TadAZ held the title between 2001 and 2008 – with the exception of 2005, when they finished runners-up to Khatlon. Since the turn of the century, Khatlon also claimed the title in 2009, between the reigns of the league’s two major 21st-century forces. Starting the 2020/21 season strongly, they have been dubbed Tajikistan’s “own Leicester” by Spanish newspaper Diario AS.
Also considering themselves contenders are Khujand who, for three seasons on the trot, have finished runners-up. This season’s underdogs come in the shape of top tier debutants Fayzkand Vose and Dushanbe-83, who finished second and third, respectively, in the second division last year to earn promotion.
Dushanbe-83
Who are your team’s Tajik counterparts?
The familiarity of a team’s kit, badge or nickname might play a part in your choice.
Dushanbe-83 don their take on the classic Argentina look, with a slightly bolder shade of blue, which may also appeal to Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton and Hove Albion enthusiasts. Khujand’s first strip of a blue shirt, blue shorts and white socks brings Chelsea to mind, and CSKA Pamir’s all-red garb evokes Premier league frontrunners Liverpool. Istaravshan’s yellow and black colour scheme might win over those who back Watford or the Bundesliga’s Borussia Dortmund.
Istaravshan’s badge
In the badge department, Istaravshan’s crest, reminiscent of Leeds United’s between 1984-1998, may sway a few decisions. Fayzkand’s ball-gripping eagle boasts similarities to south London’s Crystal Palace, and Kuktosh’s white horse could be an omen for followers of English League One’s Ipswich Town and Gillingham.
Supporters of La Liga’s Athletic Bilbao might find themselves drawn towards nickname-sharers Istiklol, who also go by ‘the Lions’. Likewise, fans of English Championship side Millwall will be eager to keep singing:
Kuktosh’s badge
“As the Lions run on the pitch, Everyone will sing, Let ’em come, Let ’em come, Let ’em come, Let ’em all come down to The Den, Let ’em come, Let ’em come, Let ’em come, We’ll only have to beat ’em again, We’re the best team in LondonTajikistan.”
Still undecided? Check out the teams’ profiles below.
CSKA Pamir Dushanbe
Based: Dushanbe (capital city) Kit colour: red Best performance: winners x2 (1992, 1995) One to watch: Shodibek Gafforov For fans of: Liverpool
CSKA Pamir Dushanbe
Dushanbe-83
Based: Dushanbe (capital city) Kit colour: blue and white striped shirt, black shorts Best performance: debutants 2020 Ones to watch: Elchibek Rashidbekov, Agbley Jones For fans of: Brighton & Hove Albion, Sheffield Wednesday, Argentina
Did you know? Newly-promoted 83 have a strong Ghanaian influence. Among their ranks they boast five players hailing from the West African nation: Silvanus Evans (GK), Sadiq Musa (DF), Colins Adukhen (MF), Idris Aminu (FW), Agbley Jones (FW).
Dushanbe-83
Istaravshan
Based: Istaravshan (north) Nickname: The Northern Tigers Kitcolour: yellow and black Bestperformance: 2nd (1995) One to watch Bakhtovar Zokirov For fans of: Leeds United, Watford
Istaravshan
Istiklol
Based: Dushanbe (capital city) Nickname: The Lions Kit colour: red and black Best performance: winners x8 (most recently 2019) Ones to watch: Sheriddin Boboev (2019 top scorer), Manuchekhr Dzhalilov, Alisher Dzhalilov For fans of: Manchester United, Barcelona
Did you know? The Lions won the domestic Tajikistan treble in 2019 – claiming the league title, the league cup and the Super Cup.
Alisher Dzhalilov, Istiklol captain: “You can compare Istiklol with Real Madrid or Barcelona, who also dominate in their league with attractive, well-orchestrated football.”
Istiklol
Fayzkand Vose
Based: Vose (south-west) Kitcolour: red Best performance: debutants 2020 Ones to watch: Mukhsin Maduloev, Navruz Rustamov, Dalerjon Tukhtasanov For fans of: Crystal Palace
Fayzkand
Khatlon
Based: Qurghonteppa (south-west) Kitcolour: yellow Bestperformance: winners x3 (1997, 2005, 2009) One to watch: Karomatullo Saidov Forfansof: Borussia Dortmund
Spanish newspaper Diario AS: “Tajikistan already has its own Leicester.”
Khatlon
Khujand
Based: Khujand (north) Nickname: The Pitmen Kit colour: blue and white Best performance: runners-up (2019) Ones to watch: Tursunali Rustamov, Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev, Sanjar Rikhsiboev For fans of: Chelsea
Did you know? The Pitmen played and won their first football game 4-1 in 1925 “on a dry and empty field” against opposition from the northern area of Jabbor Rasulov.
Khujand
Kuktosh
Based: Kuktosh (west) Kitcolour: yellow and blue Bestperformance: 3rd (2018) One to watch: Muhiddin Odilov For fans of: Ipswich Town, Gillingham, Oxford Town, Sweden
Kuktosh
Lokomotiv Pamir
Based: Dushanbe (capital city) Nickname: The Railway Men Kit colour: white and blue Bestperformance: 10th (2000) One to watch: Rustam Soirov For fans of: Tottenham, Preston North End
Lokomotiv Pamir
Regar-TadAZ
Based: Tursunzoda (west) Kitcolour: red and white Bestperformance: winners x7 (most recently 2008) One to watch: Sherzod Makhamadiev For fans of: Arsenal
Did you know? The club was established under the name Metallurg in 1975 by workers of the local aluminium industry. The western Tajikistan outfit have won the continental AFC President’s Cup three times: 2005, 2008 and 2009.
Istiklol claim 200th league win in second-half demolition of Kuktosh
Kuktosh sought to expose an Istiklol side that had scraped a 2-2 draw with Khatlon on home soil a week prior. Early high pressing from the visitors however, resulted in an abundance of space for the Lions to move in and out of, as the build up to Alisher Dzhalilov’s miscued overhead kick inside three minutes, had proven.
Alisher Dzhalilov latched onto a long ball over the top to set up Manuchekhr Dzhalilov who neatly tucked in on 15 minutes, to open the scoring. A slim 1-0 advantage at the interval, it wasn’t until the hour mark that Istiklol clicked into gear. M. Dzhalilov’s through ball cleaved apart the Kuktosh backline for Rustam Soirov to turn in and double their lead.
Five minutes later, M.Dzhalilov steered his second of the day into the bottom corner. Moments later, Muhammad Rahimov claimed their fourth as the ball found a way in through the legs of the keeper. Kholmurod Nazarov jabbed in for Kuktosh on 81 minutes, but Istiklol struck back immediately, as Soirov found a way through a huddle of red shirts to make it 5-1.
Soirov swept in for his hat-trick as the Lions tore through the dishevelled visitors at speed to make it 6-1 in stoppage time.
18th-22nd April 2020 Tajikistan Higher League Gameweek 3
Kuktosh 1-1 Khujand
(Rasulov 41; Saidkhodzha 57)
Kuktosh and Khujand share the spoils as the hosts continue their unbeaten run
Kuktosh took the lead in the 41st minute though Hikmatullo Rasulov. Khujand were slow to react as a quickly-taken corner from the left was rolled into Rasulov. All the time in the world, he takes a few touches to nudge it closer, picks his spot and whips it into the top corner.
The visitors levelled early in the second half with a well-worked move. Laid into Mukhammadsharifi Saidkhodzha on the right flank, he shakes off his man by cutting back and squares across the penalty area. Sanjar Rihksiboev dummies, leaping over his pass, allowing it to fall into the tracks of Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev who wallops it home.
Deep into stoppage time, Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev had the chance to snatch all three points for Khujand. But his free-kick, struck side-footed from the edge of the penalty area, was denied by Kurbonali Boboev, who lept high to tip it to safety.
Dzhalilov levels from the penalty spot in late drama against ten-man Khatlon
Umarjon Sharipov’s 80th-minute dismissal had left Khatlon defending their 2-1 lead against a Istiklol side who had dominated the second half.
In stoppage time though, Manuchekhr Dzhalilov made no mistakes as he dispatched from the penalty spot to level the scoring and clinch a point for Istiklol.
Khatlon had taken the lead inside nine minutes. Hussein Nurmatov’s shrewdly taken free-kick was switched cross-field to Naimjon Ibrahimzoda, and the right back launched goalwards from distance. Spilled by the Istiklol custodian, Parviz Baki-Akhunov reacted quickest to turn it in.
The Lions equalised just after the half-hour mark, as the visitors failed to deal with Alisher Dzhalilov’s devilish inswinging corner. An attempted headed clearance fell conveniently for Manuchekhr Dzhalilov at the back post, who guided in.
Putting the visitors in front going in at the break, a botched Istiklol clearance was pounced upon by Khatlon captain Umarjon Sharipov. Weaving in and out of the red jerseys, finding a passage through to goal, he placed it clinically into the bottom corner, just before the half-time whistle.
In a wave of second-half Istiklol attacks, Manuchekhr Dzhalilov’s superbly struck 59th-minute free-kick had the keeper beaten as it crashed off the woodwork, before the No63 found himself through on goal again, this time to be denied by Kuaye Godson’s outstretched limb. Called into action moments later, Khalton’s Godson got low to smother Istiklol defender Zoir Juraboev’s glanced effort.
Khatlon were forced to battle through the final ten minutes with ten men, and in the dying stages of game saw their hard work undone as Manuchekhr Dzhalilov’s spot kick ensured the sides shared the spoils.
Dilovarsho Ganiev celebrates scoring for Regar-TadAZ
(Makhamadiev 1 51, Ganiev 59 67; Barotov 37)
Makhamadiev and Ganiev at the double as hosts hit four to claim first victory in style
Off to a flying start, Sherzod Makhamadiev skipped past the onrushing Istaravshan keeper to coolly slot home and give Regar the lead inside the first minute of play.
Istaravshan soon found their feet, nevertheless, as Cameroonian Mbeke Deudone conjured up several decent opportunities. His best, a long-range effort tipped over the woodwork.
The visitors struck back on 37 minutes through Ilhomjon Barotov. Receiving it on the edge of the area, Barotov swivelled before bending it beyond the sprawling keeper to level.
Having clawed their way back into tie, Istaravshan had gained some momentum. But as the second half kicked off, that soon unravelled as Regar once again took charge. Makhamadiev fired the hosts back in front in the 51st minute, as he arrived inside the penalty area undetected.
Throughout the fixture, Istaravshan had struggled to cope with Regar’s pace on the right flank, particularly the jet-heeled Khodzhiakbar Uzokov. The No17, who had zipped through the sluggish yellow back line to spark the opening goal, helped deepen the visitors woes, yet again.
Drawing out yellow shirts in their numbers, he ventured into Istaravshan territory. Cutting inside, he squared to Dilovarsho Ganiev, whose fine strike soared into the back of the net to make it 3-1.
Ganiev struck again in the 67th minute, hitting Regar’s fourth, as Istaravshan attempted to play out from the back. Pouncing on a loose ball, a cheeky dink with the outside of his boot floated over the keeper to put an extra sheen on the scoreline.
Khatlon continue winning run downing weary Khujand on the road
Some thorough tackling and cautious clearances – hurled back and forth – made for a frenetic opening to the match. Khatlon, resplendent in yellow, acted first to take the reins.
A dangerous deliverer of the ball, and keen to pull the trigger from distance, Khatlon’s No66 Naimjon Ibrahimzoda posed a constant threat from the right. Given too much room to cut inside onto his lethal left peg, in the 20th minute, the right back curled in a pinpoint cross to pick out Khudoidod Uzokov. Dropping into the path of the No10, he only had to make a connection to steer in the opener.
Highlights: Khujand 2-3 Khatlon
Khatlon’s advantage was doubled in the 35th minute – Khujand’s defence still hadn’t learnt their lesson, reacting slowly in shutting down Sorbon Avgonov, as he was allowed to casually bend into the top bin.
Khujand’s front line had been forced to feed off scraps in the first period, but from restart Khatlon were caught napping. Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev broke down the right to whip across the face of goal for Sanjar Rikhsiboev to turn in at the back post, bringing the hosts back into the tie.
Escaping a few moments of unease, Khatlon will thank the safe hands of Ghanaian keeper Quaye Godson, whose sterling shift between the sticks ensured his side kept the upper hand.
Parviz Baki-Akhunov converted the visitors’ third, blasting in off the upright on 72 minutes. And, despite a late resurgence through Dilshod Bozorov’s injury-time tap in, it was too late for Khujand to salvage a point.
Istiklol’s line-up
Istiklol 2-0 CSKA Pamir
(A.Dzhalilov 18, Boboev 86)
The Lions’ persevere to seal victory
Alisher Dzhalilov broke the deadlock in the 18th minute, capitalising as CSKA failed to clear their lines – the No10 able to take a touch, pick his spot and drill low into the bottom corner.
Penned back for the most part, CSKA struggled to subdue the sharp Istiklol front line. In spite of ample opportunities however, the hosts failed to complete some slick passages of play and increase the deficit until the late arrival of Sheriddin Boboev.
Coming off the bench in the 75th minute, for the second match on the trot, Boboev killed off the tie, as he walloped home Istiklol’s second and high-fived the ball boys with minutes left on the clock.
Highlights: Istiklol 2-0 CSKA Pamir
Lokomotiv-Pamir 1-0 Dushanbe-83
(Ruziev OG 75)
Loko edge unlucky Dushanbe-83 to claim all three points late on
Loko’s Shakhrom Sulaimonov
Izatullo Ruziev’s own goal was all that separated the sides at the final whistle. Shakhrom Sulaimonov’s searching 75th-minute free-kick – redirected by the Dushanbe-83 keeper – was inadvertently turned into the visitors’ net by the backtracking centre-half.
Dushanbe-83 had shown early promise, and for the majority of the match, looked the brightest side. Set up with intent, boasting a 4-2-4 formation, they sought to bounce back from the 7-0 mid-week hammering at the hands of Istiklol. Lokomotiv were aiming for their first win of the campaign following a 2-2 season-opener with Fayzkand.
A Dushanbe flurry inside 12 minutes set the tone, and Ismoil Alimardonov’s side-footed effort from the left forced the Loko shot-stopper into action. The Railway Men soon replied however, as Ozodbek Panjiev combined with Shakhrom Sulaimonov on the edge of the area to test the visitors’ custodian.
Loko’s Khakimdzhon Khasanov skips through
Relying on counter-attacks to breach a regimented home defence, 83 moved in their numbers, as swarms of sky blue jerseys were quick to both surge forward, and mute Loko’s advances.
From start to finish, causing the home side problems, was Dushanbe-83’s Ghanaian forward unit consisting of Idris Aminu, Agbley Jones and Colins Adukhen. Bursting forwards and chasing back, they battled for every loose ball, pouncing on any whiff of a chance. Their most promising attacking move came as Adukhen’s delivery, sliced in with the outside of his boot, was fired goalwards by Jones, who flung himself airborne to strike on the flying volley.
Nearing the final whistle, with the hosts narrowly leading and Dushanbe still turning the screw, Sulaimonov had the chance to kill the game off for Loko. His in-swinging free-kick though, was tipped onto the woodwork.
