FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers: Uzbekistan seals maiden berth with goalless draw against UAE
Uzbekistan coach Timur Kapadze lauded the efforts of his players after the Central Asian country qualified for the World Cup for the first time.
The White Wolves claimed their spot at the expanded 48-team 2026 finals on Thursday with a 0-0 draw in the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A, alongside already-qualified Iran.
Uzbekistan has tried and failed to qualify seven times since its independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, suffering heartbreak in the final stage of continental qualifiers for Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014.
A genuine force in Asia since its 1994 Asian Games triumph, the Uzbekistan FA has invested heavily in youth development in the attempt to take the final step onto the world stage.
Kapadze has reaped the dividends with a young generation of players, including Manchester City's 21-year-old centre back Abdukodir Khusanov at his disposal.
'We have achieved an important result after a long and difficult journey. A lot of work was done for this result, I sincerely congratulate our people,' Kapadze told Uzbekistan's online publication Zamin.
'This is not only our victory, but the victory of our entire people. Our players showed determination in every match, worked with all their might, and we achieved the result ... '
Kapadze, who played 119 times for Uzbekistan and led the under-23 team at last year's Olympic Games, was appointed coach after Srecko Katanec left because of illness in January.
'Before the game, (everyone) expressed their confidence in our team's victory and expected a good result from us,' he said.
'This confidence also became a great responsibility and pressure for us. But we managed to overcome this pressure and complete the task.'
Kapadze was mobbed by his players in his post-match press conference and received a congratulatory telephone call from Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
'In a fierce competition against the strongest teams in Asia, you demonstrated true character, unbreakable will, and professionalism,' Mirziyoyev said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
39 minutes ago
- NDTV
Bengaluru Stampede: Top Karnataka Cricket Officials Resign Taking 'Moral Responsibility' For Fatal IPL Celebration
Karnataka State Cricket Association secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam have tendered their resignations 'owning moral responsibility' of the stampede that took place near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 at Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2025 title celebration. For the first time in IPL's 18-year history, RCB won the trophy but its taste turned sour after stampedes at the celebration parade killed 11 and injured close to 50. After the team's maiden IPL title celebrations in Bengaluru took a tragic turn, resulting in the deaths of 11 fans, the police have made four arrests in the case. Among those four people arrested is the franchise's marketing head, Nikhil Sosale. After that comes these high-profile resignations. "This is to inform that due to the unforeseen and unfortunate events that have unfolded in the last two days and though our role was very limited, but owing moral responsibility, we wish to state that last night we have tendered our resignation to our respective posts as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, by way of a letter dated 06.06.2025 to the President of Karnataka State Cricket Association. This is for your information. A. Shankar E.S. Jairam," a statement IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the 11 supporters, who lost their lives in a stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium during the team's victory celebrations . Lakhs of people turned out to catch a glimpse of Virat Kohli and Co. leading to complete chaos and eventually a stampede that caused the death of 11 people outside the stadium here on Wednesday. "The unfortunate incident in Bengaluru yesterday has caused a lot of anguish and pain to the RCB family," said an RCB statement on Thursday. More than 50 people were also injured in the incident and the franchise said a fund is being set up to assist them. "As a mark of respect and a gesture of solidarity, RCB has announced a financial support of Rs 10 lakh to each of the eleven families of the deceased. In addition, a fund called RCB Cares is also being created to support fans injured in this tragic incident," it added. A magisterial inquiry is currently underway into the tragedy and its report is expected within the next fortnight. RCB has drawn widespread criticism for going ahead with the victory celebrations just a day after winning the trophy, denying the administration and police authorities enough time to arrange adequate security needed for an event of such magnitude. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has already questioned the lapses in arrangement on Wednesday and also stressed on the need for proper co-ordination between the franchise, the police and the district administration for smooth conduct of such a programme. He cited the seamless victory parade in Mumbai, which drew lakhs on to the streets, after India's T20 World Cup triumph last year as a case in point. RCB's social media team had invited people to the celebrations with a social media post but later withdrew it after the Bengaluru Traffic Police stated that it would be difficult to allow a victory parade given the congestion on the route. The parade was given the go ahead by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah but did not take place due to crowd chaos and rain. Former India wicketkeeper and Karnataka legend Syed Kirmani was scathing in his criticism while talking to India Today, calling it a "deadly welcome".
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Bengaluru Stampede: Top Karnataka Cricket Officials Resign Taking 'Moral Responsibility' Of Fatal IPL Celebration
Karnataka State Cricket Association secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam have tendered their resignations 'owning moral responsibility' of the stampede that took place near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 at Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2025 title celebration. For the first time in IPL's 18-year history, RCB won the trophy but its taste turned sour after stampedes at the celebration parade killed 11 and injured close to 50. After the team's maiden IPL title celebrations in Bengaluru took a tragic turn, resulting in the deaths of 11 fans, the police have made four arrests in the case. Among those four people arrested is the franchise's marketing head, Nikhil Sosale. After that comes these high-profile resignations. "This is to inform that due to the unforeseen and unfortunate events that have unfolded in the last two days and though our role was very limited, but owing moral responsibility, we wish to state that last night we have tendered our resignation to our respective posts as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, by way of a letter dated 06.06.2025 to the President of Karnataka State Cricket Association. This is for your information. A. Shankar E.S. Jairam," a statement IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the 11 supporters, who lost their lives in a stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium during the team's victory celebrations . Lakhs of people turned out to catch a glimpse of Virat Kohli and Co. leading to complete chaos and eventually a stampede that caused the death of 11 people outside the stadium here on Wednesday. "The unfortunate incident in Bengaluru yesterday has caused a lot of anguish and pain to the RCB family," said an RCB statement on Thursday. More than 50 people were also injured in the incident and the franchise said a fund is being set up to assist them. "As a mark of respect and a gesture of solidarity, RCB has announced a financial support of Rs 10 lakh to each of the eleven families of the deceased. In addition, a fund called RCB Cares is also being created to support fans injured in this tragic incident," it added. A magisterial inquiry is currently underway into the tragedy and its report is expected within the next fortnight. RCB has drawn widespread criticism for going ahead with the victory celebrations just a day after winning the trophy, denying the administration and police authorities enough time to arrange adequate security needed for an event of such magnitude. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has already questioned the lapses in arrangement on Wednesday and also stressed on the need for proper co-ordination between the franchise, the police and the district administration for smooth conduct of such a programme. He cited the seamless victory parade in Mumbai, which drew lakhs on to the streets, after India's T20 World Cup triumph last year as a case in point. RCB's social media team had invited people to the celebrations with a social media post but later withdrew it after the Bengaluru Traffic Police stated that it would be difficult to allow a victory parade given the congestion on the route. The parade was given the go ahead by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah but did not take place due to crowd chaos and rain. Former India wicketkeeper and Karnataka legend Syed Kirmani was scathing in his criticism while talking to India Today, calling it a "deadly welcome".
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
‘KL Rahul didn't crib, he has seen such things': India star made short detour before England tour, tipped for redemption
KL Rahul made a strong return to India colours with a century for India A against England Lions, staking his claim for a key role in the upcoming five-Test series against England. Rahul has been a regular for India in ODIs and Tests, and with a century in the tour match, he has all but sealed a spot in the XI when India take on England in the first Test in Headingley. The star batter has long been a vital figure in India's red-ball setup, and his responsibilities – not just with the bat, but also with leadership – are likely to increase as India tour England under first-time captain, Shubman Gill. Throughout his career across formats, Rahul has shunted between various positions in the batting order. Even during India's previous Test series against Australia Down Under, Rahul played as an opener and in the middle-order once Rohit Sharma returned to the XI. However, with no Rohit in the Test setup any longer, it is expected that the Karnataka batter will have a more cemented role. Rahul's childhood coach, Samuel Jayaraj, believes that mental toughness, developed over years of dealing with challenges, is what helped Rahul keep his head grounded and overcome the disappointment of not being part of India's T20I team, which won the World Cup last year. 'If you ask me, as a coach, this isn't surprising. He was always ready. He was also a wicketkeeper. He would smartly rotate strike, taking singles on the fourth, fifth, or sixth ball, then face the next over. He follows instructions really well. If you noticed in the Champions Trophy, his role was very specific—and he executed it perfectly,' Jayaraj said. 'In fact, despite having a very good ODI World Cup, he wasn't picked for the T20 World Cup. He didn't crib or get frustrated. Because he has seen these things as a kid. That's why he's so strong today both mentally and technically. And that's his biggest strength. He's matured a lot. He's been playing cricket at a high level for 10 years now. That experience shows. If you watch him now, he's a completely different player — much calmer, composed, and in control. For me, that calmness is what stands out the most,' he added. Ahead of the England tour, Jayaraj met Rahul briefly and reiterated a lifelong mantra that he says continues to guide his ward. "I always tell him just one thing — enjoy and become. That's always been my message, my mantra, even my password, you could say. You have to enjoy what you do. You have to be happy. If you're not happy, your body simply won't respond the way you want it to,' Jayaraj said. "In England, a more and more matured KL Rahul will be seen."
