Translated with AI
The Tajikistan U16 national team, coached by Jafar Akhmedov, won the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Championship, which concluded in Tashkent. The Tajikistan Football Federation announced this.
In the final round of the tournament, the Tajik team drew 0-0 with the Uzbekistan national team. Prior to this, the Tajikistan youth team had won three matches, defeating Turkmenistan 5-1, Kyrgyzstan 4-0, and Afghanistan 3-2.
At the end of the tournament, the Tajikistan team earned 10 points and confidently took first place, becoming the 2026 CAFA Champions. The silver medal went to the Uzbekistan team with 8 points, while the bronze medal went to the Kyrgyzstan team with 6 points.
This victory marked the fifth in the history of the Tajikistan youth team at the Central Asian Football Association Championships. The team previously won the tournament in 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2025.
The tournament matches took place in Tashkent at the Dustlik stadium.
In the first round, Tajikistan confidently defeated Turkmenistan 5-1. Goals were scored by Siyovush Nazarov in the 27th and 47th minutes, Muhammadjon Karomatullozoda in the 38th and 85th minutes, and Alijon Shukhratdzhonzoda in the 64th minute. Khudainazar Meredov scored the opponent's only goal from a penalty kick in the 39th minute.
In the third round, the Tajik team crushed Kyrgyzstan 4-0. The goals were scored by Siyovush Nazarov, who scored in the 4th and 58th minutes, Alijon Shukhratdzhonzoda in the 17th minute, and Bikhishti Rajabzod in the 61st minute.
In the fourth round, Tajikistan defeated Afghanistan 3-2. Bikhishti Rajabzod scored twice, netting in the 18th and 26th minutes. Zamir Shoja scored for Afghanistan in the 67th minute and Nasibullah Amiri in the 80th. Firdavsi Khalimov scored the winning goal in the 86th minute.
In the final, fifth round, the national teams of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan played to a draw – 0:0.
