It was first time the country won any tournament at national level since joining the Asian Football Confederation in 1992 after the disband of the Soviet Union and they immediately rushed to the byline to circled coach Sharif Nazarov, giving the old man big hugs before tossing him into the air in jubilation.

It was a hard work of a team featuring quality footballers that gave Tajikistan success but the mastermind behind it was 60-year-old Nazarov, who still feels young at heart.

"I may look old but I feel that youth is still inside me. I want to work as long as I am alive," said Nazarov, who breathes football.

The veteran said that he expected the victory to be a boost for his countrymen, especially after winning a tournament of national teams after club success in the AFC President's Cup last year.

"We came here to win the trophy and we are champions. Certainly, this victory is going to develop the game in our country," said Nazarov, whose side not only proved too good for runners-up Sri Lanka but also demolished the home side's hopes with a 6-1 defeat of Bangladesh in the quarterfinal.

"We have also proved that we are able to play at a higher level. I congratulate my players for keeping the tempo from the start and winning it."

Sri Lanka coach Sampath Perera admitted that the better team won the cup.

"We lacked finishing. But I am happy that with nine new and young players in the side, we came this far. This was after a long time that we played in a final of a major tournament and the runners-up trophy will make the people back home happy," said Perera, who was captain of the side in 1995 when Sri Lanka won the South Asian regional SAARC Gold Cup at home.

"I am looking forward to a bright future of this team," he added.