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AFC Asian Cup
A standout during the Central Asia side’s historic debut in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Yatimov was instrumental in their run to the knockout stage, where he made the only save in a decisive 5-3 penalty shootout against the United Arab Emirates’ Caio Canedo to seal a memorable Round of 16 victory.
Factfile
Age: 28
Caps: 54
Club: FK Rostov (RUS)
Age: 28
Caps: 54
Club: FK Rostov (RUS)
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Yatimov started his senior career with Russian third-tier side Nizhny Novgorod in 2016 before moving to Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol. He returned to Novgorod the same year, in 2017, and then moved back to Istiklol the following year.
The Russia-born Yatimov enjoyed considerable success at Istiklol, winning six Tajik League titles and four national Cups and Super Cups as well as being named the league’s best goalkeeper in 2023.
Trivia
Tajikistan had a Finals debut to remember at Qatar 2023, advancing to the quarter-finals
following a sizzling campaign.
He moved to Russian Premier League side FK Rostov in 2024 and has turned up 53 times between the posts since then. In 2025, he was named the best goalkeeper of the Russian Cup, marking a historic achievement for both himself and Tajik football.
Yatimov spent a year with the Tajikistan U23 side before making his debut for the seniors in 2019, in a 1–1 draw against Afghanistan. He has since made more than 50 appearances for his country.
Having established himself as a key figure for both club and country, Yatimov is set to anchor a team that secured its place at the continental showpiece by topping Group A undefeated in the Qualifiers, with the 28-year-old conceding only three times in six fixtures.
Yatimov, who kept a clean sheet in Tajikistan’s first-ever AFC Asian Cup match - a goalless draw against China PR in Qatar, will look to not only repeat his achievement but go further in their second appearance on the continental stage.
