Tajikistan daring to dream of more Asian Cup triumphs

With 9.5 million people along for the journey, Tajikistan and coach Petar Segrt are daring to dream of capping off their first Asian Cup round-of-16 appearance with an upset win over the United Arab Emirates.

Tajikistan snuck into the knock-outs for the first time with a dramatic comeback win over Lebanon in their final group game but they face a stern test against the 2019 semi-finalists at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Sunday.

It is the young nation's first major tournament since securing independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Eccentric coach Segrt and his charges are riding the wave of support from back home that accompanied Nuriddin Khamrokulov's 92nd-minute winner, which earned Tajikistan qualification ahead of China in group A.

"Nine-and-a-half million people scored the goal," Segrt said on Saturday.

"Not one. Everybody, the ambitions of all Tajikistan people were for this goal. It is not only one, we are all together. 

"No-one can tell me these players are not the heroes of Tajikistan.

"We train for our dream, we will try to go for the next round.

"We can play everything or nothing because this is a game for everything and nothing.

"And believe me. Maybe we celebrate after the qualification (if we progress) like we won the Asian Cup."

Albert Einstein-lookalike Segrt has enjoyed a unique coaching journey.

The Croatian has coached Afghanistan and Maldives, and was technical director of Georgia in 2008 when war broke out with Russia over the southern Caucasus.

He has been willing to make light of his own players' exuberance, chastising them twice for breaking his glasses in celebrations.

But he's deadly serious about his team's prospects.

"We know the UAE are a good team and normally they must be better than us," he said. 

"We know that. But on the field, we will love and dream and celebrate, I hope, after the game again. 

"And if not, I will be the first to give UAE my hand in congratulations.

"But for 90 minutes we will fight, and also give everything and when I smile, I smile because I still love.

"The situation has changed. Now we are not any more the underdog."

For his part, UAE coach Paulo Bento wanted his charges mentally switched on to end the fairytale.

"Their motivation cannot or should not be higher than our motivation," he said.

"If we think that because they are in the competition for the first time it's a team that has less possibility to win the game than us, we are making a big mistake.

"We should have all the respect for this team."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store