Regar-Tadaz Cruise Past Maziya to Reach AFC Challenge League Group Stage

Tajikistan’s FC Regar-Tadaz secured their place in the AFC Challenge League 2026/27 group stage with a convincing 3-0 victory over Maldives champions Maziya Sports & Recreation Club on Wednesday.

The visitors gradually grew into the contest after an evenly balanced opening, with Maziya creating the first meaningful opportunity in the eighth minute. Ibrahim Mahudhee tested Regar-Tadaz goalkeeper Severin Takam from distance, but the effort failed to trouble the Tajik side.

Regar-Tadaz responded with increasing pressure. In the 20th minute, Maziya goalkeeper Hussain Shareef was forced off his line to deal with a dangerous delivery from Daler Imomnazarov.

Azizbek Khaitov went close six minutes later when his long-range effort took a deflection off Mohamed Aiham Anwar and looped over the crossbar.

Maziya had another opportunity in the 28th minute when Mahudhee picked out Benjamin Kuku in the box, but the forward could not keep his header on target.

Neither side could find a breakthrough before half-time, with the score goalless at the interval.

Regar-Tadaz emerged from the break with greater attacking purpose and finally broke the deadlock in the 51st minute.

Khaitov delivered a precise lob into the penalty area for an unmarked Ozodbek Pandzhiev, who met the ball with a first-time volley and guided it into the bottom corner.

Maziya almost responded immediately. Three minutes later, Aisam Ibrahim reacted quickest to a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his volley was struck straight at Takam.

Regar-Tadaz continued to threaten and came close to doubling their advantage shortly before the hour. Khaitov worked his way into the penalty area before forcing Shareef into a low save.

Maziya held on until the final stages, but a defensive lapse in the 89th minute effectively ended their hopes.

Regar-Tadaz launched a swift counter-attack, with Pandzhiev laying the ball off inside the box for Sherzod Makhamadiev, who calmly finished to make it 2-0.

There was still time for a third. In the second minute of added time, Edimo Kingue cut the ball back into the area and Amirdzhon Safarov fired home from close range to complete the scoring.

The 3-0 victory sends Regar-Tadaz into the AFC Challenge League 2026/27 group stage, while Maziya’s continental campaign ends at the play-off stage.