Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Hithadhoo: Didar Durdiyev scored twice as two-time runners-up Turkmenistan came from behind to beat AFC Challenge Cup debutants Laos 5-1 in the opening game of Group B on Tuesday at Hithadhoo Stadium.
Khampheng Sayavutthi scored Laos’ first-ever goal at a continental tournament in spectacular fashion after 34 minutes only for Dovlet Bayramov’s opportunist header to level the scores at half-time before Durdiyev’s penalty turned the tie in favour of the 2010 and 2012 finalists Turkmenistan at the start of the second half.
And after Laos goalkeeper Vathana Keodouangdeth deflected Umidjan Astanov’s corner into his own net soon after, late goals from Durdiyev and Bahtiyar Hojaahmedov sealed the convincing win for Rahim Kurbanmamedov’s side.
“The result is very important as the first game is always difficult,” said Kurbanmamedov, who now must prepare his side to face SAFF champions Afghanistan on Thursday.
“It is always disappointing when you concede a goal and I am not satisfied with the performance of the team.
“The team can play better and we will think about it and discuss later when we analyse the game.”
Turkmenistan are the most experienced side in the tournament having lost the previous two finals to DPR Korea, but it was Laos who showed the most attacking intent in the opening exchanges.
The Central Asians, though, should have opened the scoring after 15 minutes as the ball dropped for Durdiyev on the edge of the six yard area but the striker was unable to control and bundled his effort wide.
But it was Laos who had the first shot on target after 24 minutes as Sayavutthi’s free-kick was unconvincingly gathered at the second attempt by Turkmenistan goalkeeper Nikita Gorbunov.
And Laos should have opened the scoring themselves 12 minutes before half-time as Khonesavanh Sihavong’s perfectly weighted through ball sent Sayavutthi clear, but the striker's unconvincing shot from just inside the penalty area was pushed away by Gorbunov.
But Gorbunov was left helpless a minute later as Tiny Boumalay’s right wing free-kick was flicked on by Soukaphone Vongchiengkham at the near post, and as the looping ball dropped on the edge of the six yard area, Sayavutthi was on hand to dispatch a spectacular overhead kick past the custodian.
Turkmenistan, though, were back on level terms three minutes before half-time as Guvanch Abylov’s angled strike from the right edge of the penalty area struck the foot of the post and fortunately rebounded off the back of Laos goalkeeper Keodouangdeth and Bayramov was on hand to head into the empty from just inside the six yard area.
And Turkmenistan completed the turnaround five minutes into the second half as Sengdao Inthilath needlessly bundled over Bayramov close to the touchline inside the penalty area and Durdiyev confidently sent Keodouangdeth the wrong way from the resulting spot kick.
The lead was doubled just four minutes later as Laos goalkeeper Keodouangdeth, while under pressure standing virtually on his goalline, failed to make an adequate connection with a punch from Astanov’s corner and the ball dropped agonisingly into the side netting.
And with five minutes remaining, a cross from substitute Farhad Italmazov was turned home by Durdiyev with Laos overcommitted before Hojaahmedov sealed the win two minutes later with an eye-catching looping shot from just inside the penalty area.
“We were not bad, but we could do more. But in the second half were showed we don’t have a lot of experience. We need to be more positive in attack and we need more training and tournaments,” said Laos coach Norio Tsukitate, with his side set to face the Philippines on Thursday.
“We need to learn to control psychologically after making mistakes. After making a mistake our performance and play was negative, that needs to improve.”