In the morning light of January 29th, the Asian Cup 1/8 finals smoke cleared, ranked only in the 106th place of the Tajikistan team, through the double test of extra time and penalty kicks, to 6-4 thrilling score, the former top four UAE eliminated out of the game, creating a historic first time in the Asian Cup among the last eight.
Tajikistan was the first to break the net in the first half, and would have sealed the win had the UAE not delayed the game by using the extra time seconds reading. Even with the setback, the Tajikistan players remained relentless, gritting their teeth until the very end. After extra time, the penalty shootout saw five players from both sides failing to hit the target, while UAE's Kanaido failed to put the ball in the net after a heroic save by Tajikistan's goalkeeper Yatimov. With Tajikistan among the last eight, the returning Chinese men's soccer team once again sparked heated debate among netizens. Some voices argued: "Tajikistan's place in the last eight is in stark contrast to hosts Qatar's easy advancement. If there are two top eight teams in the same group, it doesn't seem wrong for the Chinese men's soccer team to face an exit!" Some netizens even teased, "From this point of view, the Chinese men's soccer team has already beaten Tajikistan, which is in the top eight of the Asian Cup, relying on a controversial goal by Zhu Chenjie, which is already quite a good achievement." : "National soccer team's third-place finish instantly improves" : "Jankovic: I said Tajikistan is strong and you guys are still laughing at me?" ; "Won't the national soccer team repeat the mistake of the 2002 World Cup, with one winner and one third in the same group of opponents?" Despite the jokes, we have to admit that, even if it is regarded as a recognized weak team, Tajikistan's performance in the current Asian Cup has also demonstrated the great progress of the country's soccer. Perhaps, the Chinese men's soccer team should really think deeply and try to catch up, so as not to refresh the shameful 18th lowest ranking in the next Asian Cup.
