Tajikistan and Jordan do battle at the Central Republican Stadium in their opening AFC World Cup qualifier on Thursday afternoon.
While the hosts are ranked 109th in the world by FIFA, their Asian counterparts sit 27 positions higher in 82nd place.
Match preview
Following a five-game winless start to 2023, Tajikistan claimed back-to-back 2-0 friendly wins over Singapore and Malaysia in September and October respectively.
Mukhammadzhon Rakhimov and Vahdat Khanonov scored either side of half time to help the Persian Lions claim a routine win over Singapore, before Shahrom Samiev and Rustam Soirov got their names on the scoresheet against Malaysia, the latter of whom netting his first international goal.
Croatian head coach Petar Segrt has spent nearly two full years in charge of Tajikistan and is hoping to create more history after helping the nation qualify for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup for the very first time, following a run of two wins and a draw across three qualifiers in June last year.
While one eye is sure to be on preparations for that tournament starting in January next year, Tajikistan are now focused fully on their opening two AFC World Cup qualifiers this month, and will hope to make a strong start to Group G by taking advantage of Jordan's recent poor run of form.
Indeed, Jordan enter Thursday's contest after losing six of their last eight internationals in all competitions, including three defeats in four friendlies over the last three months.
After being thumped 6-0 by Norway and losing 2-1 to Azerbaijan in back-to-back away games in September, the Chivalrous Ones were beaten 3-1 at home to Iran during last month's international break, before losing 5-3 on penalties to Iraq following a 2-2 in 90 minutes.
Moroccan-born head coach Hussein Ammouta, who took the reins in June, is keen to quickly turn Jordan's fortunes around, and his side can be quietly optimistic of success on Thursday as they have won three of their last four meetings with Tajikistan, albeit losing their most recent encounter 1-0 in February 2021.
Jordan and Tajikistan are joined in Group G of World Cup qualifying by Pakistan, the lowest-ranked nation in the group, and Saudi Arabia, who are regarded as the favourites to finish top of the four-team table.
Team News
Tajikistan will have to cope without their all-time leading goalscorer Manuchekhr Dzhalilov, who has found the net 20 times in 51 international games, as he is sidelined with an injury.
The absence of Dzhalilov will likely see Shahrom Samiev lead the line, although Shervoni Mabatshoev and Rustam Soirov will also be pushing to start.
Twenty-year-old midfielder Amadoni Kamolov is in contention to earn his first international cap, while 31-year-old Akhtam Nazarov, the nation's all-time record appearance-maker, is set to earn his 75th cap at the heart of the defence.
As for Jordan, they have their all-time leading scorer available for selection as Hamza Al-Dardour, who has scored 32 goals in 104 appearances has been called up for this month's international break after missing the friendly defeat to Iraq in October, and the Al-Hussein marksman is expected to start up front.
Goalkeeper Yazid Abu Laila may lead his team out again while wearing the captain's armband, and Baraa Marei could be called upon to partner Abdullah Nassib at centre-back.
Tajikistan possible starting lineup:
Yatimov; Khanonov, Nazarov, Dzhuraboyev, Safarov; Juraboev, Umarbayev, Panjshanbe; Rakhimov, Samiev, Safarov
Jordan possible starting lineup:
Abu Laila; Shelbaya, Nassib, Marei, Abu Hashish; Al-Rawabdeh, Al-Rashdan; Al-Tamari, Alwan, Abu Taha; Al-Dardour
We say: Tajikistan 2-1 Jordan
After conceding 13 goals across their first four matches under new boss Ammouta, Jordan must make improvements in defence if they are to have any chance of claiming a positive result against a Tajikistan outfit, who have scored in each of their last six internationals.
There is little to separate these two nations, but we believe that Tajikistan will do enough to claim a slender win and open their account in World Cup qualifying.
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