Hero Intercontinental Cup 2019 Rival Watch: Tajikistan

The Persian Lions are coming into the tournament on the back of a few struggles in recent times.

Igor Stimac's Blue Tigers will face Tajikistan in the Intercontinental Cup opener on 7th July. The Persian Lions are ranked 120th in the current FIFA rankings and are coming off a rough patch of form after they failed to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup. However, head coach Usmon Toshev has picked a comparatively younger team and the new crop of youngsters will bring dynamism in their approach. Hence, the other teams cannot afford to take them lightly.

Recent Performance

The Persian Lions had a poor FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification campaign, following which they sacked then head coach Mubin Ergashev along with his staff. Khakim Fuzailov also followed in the path of his predecessor and stepped down from his job after failing to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2019. However, now with Toshev, the federation will hope that the Uzbek tactician can bring back the lost glory.

About The Team

In their 26-year-long football history, the biggest feat for the Persians Lions was when they won the 2006 AFC Challenge Cup, beating Sri Lanka in the final.

However, after their struggles in recent years, head coach Toshev has preferred a young bunch of players. Hence, this Tajikistan team lacks experience, but with the current transition in mind, they definitely can be the surprise package of the Intercontinental Cup.

The Coach

Usmon Toshev has coached the national team for only two games ahead of the Intercontinental Cup

The newly-appointed head coach Toshev is only two matches old coming into the Intercontinental Cup. The tactician has managed Uzbek clubs like Buxoro FK, Nasaf FC, FC Andijan and FC Shurtan Guzar. He was also assistant manager of the Uzbekistan national team under Russian head coach Valery Nepomnyashchy.

The 53-year old tactician had an excellent 2018, where he guided the Uzbekistan U-16 side which won the youth tournament of CAFA. In the second half of the year, Toshev was in-charge of Afghan first tier side Toofan Harirod, which won the Afghan Premier League.

However, this is the biggest challenge in his managerial career and he has shown fearlessness in his approach so far, by selecting youngsters who will take forward the baton of football in Tajikistan.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Rustam Yatimov, Shokhrukh Kirgizboev.

Defenders: Akhtam Nazarov, Iskandar Jalilov, Zoir Juraboev, Tabrezi Davlatmir, Alisher Barotov, Siyevush Asrorov.

Midfielders: Amirbek Dzhuraboev, Ehsoni Panjshanbe, Muhammadjon Rakhras, Karomatullo Saidov, Otabek Karimov, Ilhomjon Barotov, Parvizdzhon Umarbaev, Nozim Bobojonov, Daler Yedgorov.

Forwards: Sheriddin Boboev, Shakhrom Samiyev, Komron Tursunov, Tokhir Malodustov.

Note: Forward Jahongir Erghasev has been ruled out of the squad due to an injury ahead of the Intercontinental Cup.

Players To Watch

Akhtam Nazarov

Watch: Akhtam Nazarov goals and skills

With 40 caps for his country, Akhtam Nazarov will be a key figure for the Persian Lions. The left-back made his debut back in 2011 and has netted five goals donning the national team jersey. Nazarov is an energetic left-back, who is astute in defence and also has the knack of scoring goals in crunch matches. 

The 31-year old has been a mainstay for his club FC Istiklol and his experience will be crucial for the whole side. It seems Nazarov will be trusted with the captain's armband by Toshev, at the Intercontinental Cup. 

Parvizdzhon Umarbaev

The 24-year-old midfielder made his national team debut back in 2015 and since then has been one of the better performers in this Tajikistan squad. Umarbayev has featured in 19 games for the Persian Lions and has scored six goals, making him an exciting prospect.

Plying his trade for Bulgarian top division club Lokomotiv Plovdiv, he recently inspired his team to winning the Bulgarian Cup. Umarbaev will be one of the most crucial players for Toshev's men, as the youngster will be pulling the strings for them in midfield.

What To Expect

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Playing against teams like India, Syria and DPR Korea will be a challenging task for the Persian Lions considering their relatively young and inexperienced squad. However, Toshev's men should look at the Intercontinental Cup as an exposure tour and the youngsters do have the capability to raise some eyebrows.

Hence, it won't be a walk in the park for other teams against the Central Asian side. This tournament will also provide the tactician with an opportunity to assess his team's strengths and weaknesses with an eye on the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.