WEINAN (Xinhua) — Tajikistan under-16 national team held a 0-0 draw with China on Wednesday, winning the Silk Road Hua Shan Cup running from April 6-10. Prior to the game, both China and Tajikistan had two straight wins.
Jia Boyan of China missed his one-on-one chance in the 16th minute. In the 38th minute, captain Liu Yiheng almost beat Tajikistan goalkeeper Ghaforov Safarmad, but his low shot went wide. Towards the end of the first half, Yao Zhiyu, without physical contact with his opponents, suddenly fell onto the ground and lost consciousness. He was immediately sent onto an ambulance. After examination, he was not life-threatening.
As both teams played three games in five days, fatigue became the enemy for every player. After a goalless tie, Tajikistan won the trophy on goal differential.
Jia Boyan of China won the MVP award, while Saidaliev Muhammadvoris of Tajikistan was the top scorer with four goals and his teammate Ghaforov Safarmad became the best goalkeeper with a clean sheet.
“Congratulations to Tajikistan, they did very well. And I have every reason to be proud of my players, they kept fighting until the last second”, said China head coach Puche Vicente Antonio.
In the other game played on Wednesday, Kyrgyzstan beat Myanmar 2-1 to place third.