KUALA LUMPUR – Petar Sergt believes that his former team Tajikistan will be able to defend its Merdeka Cup title in this year’s edition under Gela Shekiladze’s leadership.
Last year, the Merdeka Cup, which made a comeback after a 10-year absence, saw Tajikistan – under the guidance of Sergt – defeat former national head coach Kim Pan-gon’s Harimau Malaya 2-0.
It was also Tajikistan’s first-ever title in the tournament during their inaugural participation.
This year’s tournament will feature Tajikistan, along with Lebanon, the Philippines, and Malaysia battling for the trophy.
Speaking to Scoop from Berlin, Sergt said that Tajikistan looks stronger than before under Shekiladze’s guidance, stating that the team is capable of toppling any opponent that comes in their way.
“I have the experience of winning two back-to-back tournaments with the country, and it is one of the proudest moments for me as a coach.
“The team looks stronger, and it is evident in the way they are playing nowadays. I’m also happy that they are maintaining the same momentum as they had under my guidance.
“Shekiladze has worked with me in the past, and I’m pleased that he has been maintaining the system that I created. They look strong and sharper in both their attacking and defending.
“There is no doubt they will win the tournament this year, and they will be able to topple any team with their gameplay,” said Sergt when contacted.
Shekiladze, who was promoted to head coach for Tajikistan in February this year, had been Sergt’s assistant since 2022.
Sergt has almost three decades of coaching experience across Europe and Asia, including stints in the Bundesliga and the Indonesian Premier League, as well as overseeing 24 games for Tajikistan since his appointment in 2022.
Under Sergt’s guidance, the Crowns recorded 11 wins and seven draws. They also lifted the 2022 King’s Cup in Thailand and the 2023 Merdeka Cup in Malaysia.
Before Sergt came on board, Tajikistan had struggled to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup in five previous attempts. Under his guidance, they made it to their maiden major tournament last year after topping a qualifying group comprising Singapore, Myanmar, and neighbouring Kyrgyzstan.
Their Asian Cup exploits, which saw them qualify for the quarter-finals, also propelled them to a historic-best FIFA world ranking of 99th.
Aside from Tajikistan, Sergt was also the head coach for Afghanistan, Georgia, and the Maldives.
He won the South Asian Football Federation Championship with the Maldives in 2018 by defeating India 2-1. – September 2, 2024