Keeper Jatimov the hero as Tajikistan claim King’s Cup

Tajikistan gained their first King’s Cup title with a 3-0 penalty shoot-out victory over Malaysia after the ultimate ended 0-0 in Chiang Mai on Sunday evening.

Tajikistan goalkeeper Rustam Jatimov was the hero with two saves, with the third Malaysian effort hitting the crossbar at Chiang Mai’s 700th Anniversary Stadium.

Malaysia had crushed Thailand and Tajikistan had defeated Trinidad and Tobago of their opening video games of the forty eighth King’s Cup to arrange the title showdown.

The ultimate kicked off in moist situations with the pitch soaked by a heavy downpour however Tajikistan had been faster as they dominated the opening 10 minutes.

Malaysia, nonetheless, step by step grew into the sport however with the pitch made heavy by rain, each side struggled to make a lot headway and the primary half led to a goalless stalemate.

Either side tried to beat the situations within the second half however a purpose eluded them because the match went right into a penalty shoot-out on the finish of 90 minutes.

Tajikistan captain Ahtam Nazarov missed their opening spot-kick, muffing his Panenka shot however earned a reprieve when Jatimov made a fingertip save to disclaim Malaysia skipper Dion Johan Cools.

Vakhdat Khanonov then made no mistake together with his effort with Nazarov giving Tajikistan a lift by denying Nazmi Faiz Mansor.

Komron Tursunov put Tajikistan additional forward and Safawi Rasid, with the stress on, noticed his effort rebound off the crossbar.

Rustom Soirov then sealed the title for Tajikistan as they celebrated by mobbing custodian Nazarov.

Earlier on Sunday, Thailand beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 within the third-place play-off.

Thailand coach Mano Polking admitted that he and his gamers had been upset that the Struggle Elephants failed to achieve the ultimate.

Nevertheless, he selected to look on the intense facet saying he was glad with the performances of newcomers within the third-place match.

The Brazilian made eight modifications to the beginning line-up which misplaced to Malaysia.

“Everyone remains to be upset by our failure to achieve the ultimate,” Polking stated. “We gave new gamers possibilities to play for the nation for the primary time. Everyone did properly and performed with their coronary heart.”

The debutants included Chatmongkol Ruengthanarot, Teerasak Poeiphimai and Channarong Promsirikaew who scored towards Trinidad and Tobago.