Category:8-bit computersThe Wanderers had just edged past Tajikistan’s Baxtor in a furious World Cup qualifying match in Dushanbe last September. The match had ended in a draw and that had given them an enormous sense of relief. However, the squad had to spend 10 days in the freezing Tajik winter camp and then in Sochi on their way back home.
Given the festive celebrations of the New Year, none of the players ever expected to be called up again. But that is just the kind of thing Rashid Mamedov had been waiting for. So, when Dushanbe called, the 35-year-old defender, who had helped Tajikistan to the final of the 2009 South Asian Games and the silver medal in the 2012 Asian Beach Games, was ready.
Mamedov is proud that the federation of his native country has come to recognise his contributions. The defender travelled to Dushanbe for the two matches against Chinese Taipei. Tajikistan won the first game 4-0 and lost the return leg 1-0, leading Mamedov to express his satisfaction.
“This is a big honour. I am very happy that the federation has recognised our efforts,” said Mamedov, who is a regular in Tajikistan’s first team. “They are our only friend and I am very grateful for their support. If I could score for Tajikistan, I would do it.”
Mamedov had not given up hope even when Tajikistan had failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. The player, who had spent a memorable holiday in the Maldives, watched every game from the stands. “We don’t have a coach, a training centre, a team, but we are happy that we have qualified. We didn’t qualify for the World Cup because we didn’t play well. It was disappointing, but I wasn’t completely upset,” he said.
Mamedov has played international football since he was 16, representing his country at Under-17 and Under-19 level and, later, at the 2011 South Asian Beach Games. His club career included stints with JKT Riga in the Latvian top division and Rosenborg in Norway’s Tippeligaen before he moved to FK Khujand in Tajikistan’s Tajik Premier League. be359ba680
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