The biggest-ever home defeat for the national football team was a study of striking contrast on a day when their cricketing brothers continued their surprise dominance against world champions Australia not far away from the premier venue of the country.

Bangladesh looked like a fish out of water against a Tajik team that completely outplayed their opposition with a display of superior skill and fitness throughout the 90 minutes to set a semifinal clash against their neighbours Kyrgyzstan.

Bangladesh, who had never conceded more than two goals in a home match, looked visibly shaken although they had made a brief comeback after conceding the opening goal inside 90 second.

Exploiting Bangladesh backlines' weakness in the air and the unexpected rigidity of Aminul at the goal, the tall central Asians toyed with the opposition with long crosses.

Even before the home players were settled, Tajikistan took the lead when Ibraguim Rabimov leaped to meet a corner by Odil Irgashev and put a bullet-header into the roof of the net.

Without injured captain Joy, who suffered from toothache and fever, the hosts looked pathetic in the midfield as well as in defence.

Run ragged by their mighty opponents, Bangladesh showed a moment of brilliance when Alfaz Ahmed struck the equaliser in the 18th minute. Taking a pass from Ujjal, the veteran striker lobbed the ball over an out-of-position rival goalkeeper Aslidin Khabibulloev from 25 yards with a deft right-footer.

But the home celebration was over two minutes later as Khurshed Makhmudov rocketed in a left-footed volley into the top right corner from the top of the penalty area after Bangladesh defenders failed to handle another Irgashev corner properly.

The wily midfielder, who was too good to be stymied down the right, lobbed in another pinpoint cross for Dzhomikhon Muhidinov -- unmarked at the far post -- to score the third goal with a simple header.

Numondzhon Hakimov made it 4-1 seven minutes after the break with an angular header on Rabimov's right-wing chip as Aminul for the fourth time stood rooted on the ground while Yusuf Rabiev found the net in the 64th minute with a placing shot after Muhidinov set him with a through.

A solo effort by substitute Shujoat Nematov sealed the victory when he raced past hapless centre-backs Rajani and Nazrul before placing a low drive into the far corner eight minutes from time.

Tajikistan coach Sharif Nazarov was a happy man at his side's magnificent show after a not-so-impressive performance in the group stage.

"Bangladesh did not perform well and everything looked disorganised in their front. I think their problem was lack of temperament," Nazarov said.

"Losing to Kyrgyzstan in the group match motivated my players, who put on their best show in the tournament so far. I think the weather condition favoured us because the temperature was lower," he added.

Bangladesh coach Diego Cruciani was furious after the match and only attended the post-match conference after repeated requests.

"It is difficult to speak. They were nervous under pressure and afraid of the opponents," said the Argentine of their charges.

"Everything went wrong. We missed Joy badly but I thought we had a chance after the equaliser. I thought they would organise and mark the opponents but unfortunately that was not the case.

"There was lack of both concentration and team spirit against a side that played very fast and showed too much power. If Tajikistan play the way they did today, they will go all the way," said Cruciani, who was unhappy with stand-in captain Aminul's performance under the bar in a crunch match.