DUSHANBE, November 23, Asia-Plus - Tajikistan kept alive its hopes of qualifying to the second round of the men’s soccer competition in the 15th Asian Games after a comfortable 5-1 win over Macao in Doha, according to Tajikistan’s National Olympic Committee (NOC).

Shavkat Ahmadov, the NOC executive secretary, said in an interview with Asia-Plus Tajikistan now wait to play Kyrgyzstan in what could be the crucial decider in its next match, which takes place on November 24.   

Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan both enjoy four points, after one victory and one draw each in their last two games.  What’s more, they bask in the comforting warmth of a large goal difference, after Kyrgyzstan scored seven against Macao, China in the first match and Tajikistan scored five against them in its second match.   

130 Tajik sportsmen are expected to participate in the 15 ^th Asian Games that will be held in Doha, Qatar, from December 1 to December 15, according to the Sports and Physical Training Committee.  Tajik sportsmen will compete in 14 sports: taekwon-do; karate-do; athletics; boxing; table tennis; free-style wrestling; judo; soccer, weightlifting, etc.  The Sports Committee and the National Olympic Committee (NOC) have provided funds for participation of our athletes in the Games in Qatar.    

Nearly 12,000 athletes from 45 countries across the Asian continent will converge on Doha, to compete for fame and glory.  Athletes will compete in the following sports: archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, body building, bowling, boxing, canoe-kayak, chess, cue sports, cycling, equestrian, fencing, soccer, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, kabaddi, karate-do, rowing, rugby, sailing, shooting, soft tennis, squash, table tennis, taekwon-do, tennis, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.