Tajikistan national football team
The Tajikistan national football team represents Tajikistan in international football and is controlled by the Tajikistan Football Federation, the governing body for football in Tajikistan. Tajikistan's home ground is the Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe.
History
After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan played its first match against Uzbekistan on 17 June 1992. It was not until 1994 that the Tajikistan National Football Federation was admitted to FIFA.Tajikistan played its first official game on 11 April 1994 in Tashkent as part of a regional tournament. They lost that game against Kazakhstan 0–1. The first official competition the team entered was the qualifiers for the 1996 Asian Cup, when it was seeded in the three-team Group 8 with Uzbekistan and Bahrain. Bahrain later withdrew, leaving Tajikistan to a play-off against their Middle Asian neighbors. Tajikistan won the first game 4–0, but were beaten in the away game 0–5 after extra time. They did not enter a World Cup qualifying competition until the France 1998 edition, recording four victories in their preliminary group stage including a 5–0 triumph over Turkmenistan, and losing only to China, which placed them second behind their eastern neighbors, but out of the competition.
In a three-team qualifying section for Korea/Japan 2002, they had a record 16–0 win over Guam before losing 2–0 to Iran. After beating Bangladesh 4–0 on aggregate in the preliminary round of the qualifiers for Germany 2006, they held AFC Asian Cup semi-finalists and eventual group winners Bahrain to a goalless draw on 31 March 2004.
The team won its first international tournament, the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup, in 2006, beating Sri Lanka 4–0 in Dhaka.
Following Tajikistan's disappointing 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, Mubin Ergashev and his staff were relieved of their duties.
Tajikistan were drawn into a 2019 Asian Cup qualification group with the Philippines, Yemen and Nepal. Following their defeat to Philippines on 27 March 2018, confirming Tajikistan's failure to qualify for the Asian Cup, manager Khakim Fuzailov resigned.
Due to the unsuccessful performance of Tajikistan in recent years, Usmon Toshev, the Uzbek coach, was appointed in order to reinvigorate the Tajik side. Under Usmon, Tajikistan performed well in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying, managed to beat neighbor Kyrgyzstan 1–0 and holding the same opponent 1–1 away. However, Tajikistan suffered a heartbreaking shock 3–4 loss to minnows Myanmar away, in what was considered to be a shock given Myanmar's poor form in early games, thus putting Tajikistan into trouble.
Team image
Kit
The team strip is currently sponsored by Chinese sporting apparel company Li-Ning.Players
Current squad
Match date: 9, 14 & 19 November 2019Opposition: Malaysia, Myanmar & Kyrgyzstan
Competition: Friendly & 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round
Caps and goals updated as of 19 November 2019.
Recent call ups
The following players have been called up during the past 12 months.Managers
Period | Head coach |
1992–1994 | Sharif Nazarov |
1994–1995 | Vladimir Ghulamhaydarov |
1996 | :ru:Мурадов, Абдулло|Abdulla Muradov |
1997–1998 | :ru:Бабаев, Зоир|Zair Babayev |
1999 | Sharif Nazarov |
2000–2002 | :ru:Гафуров, Салохиддин Исмаилович|Salahiddin Ghafurov |
2003 | Sharif Nazarov |
2004 | :ru:Бабаев, Зоир|Zair Babayev |
2004–2006 | Sharif Nazarov |
2007 | Mahmadjan Habibullayev |
2008–2011 | :ru:Кадыров, Пулод|Pulad Qadirov |
2011–2012 | Alimjan Rafiqov |
2012 | Kemal Alispahić |
2012–2013 | Nikola Kavazović |
2013 | Mubin Ergashev |
2013–2015 | Muhsin Muhammadiyev |
2015–2016 | Mubin Ergashev |
2016–2018 | Hakim Fuzaylov |
2018 | Alisher Tuhtayev |
2018– | Usmon Toshev |
Results and fixtures
Previous matches
Upcoming matches
Records
Most capped players
Name | Years | Caps | Goals | |
1 | Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev | 2007– | ||
2 | Davron Erghashev | 2008– | ||
3 | Dilshod Vasiev | 2006– | ||
4 | Akhtam Nazarov | 2012– | ||
5 | Nuriddin Davronov | 2008– | ||
6 | Ibrahim Rabimov | 2004– | ||
7 | Eraj Rajabov | 2008– | ||
8 | Yusuf Rabiev | 2003–2015 |
Top goalscorers
, the players with the most goals for Tajikistan are:Name | Years | Caps | Goals | |
1 | Manuchekhr Dzhalilov | 2011– | ||
2 | Yusuf Rabiev | 2003–2015 | ||
3 | Numonjon Hakimov | 2003–2011 | ||
4 | Tokhirjon Muminov | 1992–2002 | ||
5 | Ibrahim Rabimov | 2004– | ||
5 | Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev | 2007– | ||
7 | Dzhomikhon Mukhidinov | 2003–2010 | ||
7 | Nuriddin Davronov | 2008– | ||
7 | Dilshod Vasiev | 2006– | ||
10 | Davron Erghashev | 2008– | ||
11 | Alier Ashurmamadov | 1992–2006 | ||
11 | Shukhrat Dzhaborov | 1996–2007 | ||
11 | Parvizdzhon Umarbayev | 2015– |
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
AFC Asian Cup
- 2010 AFC Challenge Cup was used to determine qualification for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification
AFC Challenge Cup
Asian Games
Football at the Asian Games has been an under-23 tournament since 2002.Central Asian Championship
RCD Cup/ECO Cup record
- 1965 to 1974: No international team
- 1993: Third Place
Other tournaments
- 1997 West Asian Games: Fourth Place
- 2005 Islamic Solidarity Games: Group Stage
ELF Cup