Latest news with #AbdukodirKhusanov
News18
a day ago
- Sport
- News18
Uzbekistan, Jordan Qualify For 2026 FIFA World Cup; China Eliminated
Three additional Asian teams have secured their spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the latest round of qualifiers. Uzbekistan and Jordan will make their tournament debuts, while South Korea has extended its streak to 11 consecutive appearances. Conversely, China has been eliminated with one match remaining. Uzbekistan clinched its place with a goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates in Group A. This result was sufficient for the Central Asian team, featuring Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov and Roma forward Eldor Shomurodov, to become the fifth team to qualify for the tournament, joining Japan, New Zealand, Iran, and Argentina. In the same group, Qatar, the host of the 2022 World Cup, narrowly defeated 10-man Iran 1-0. Both Qatar and the UAE will advance to the playoffs, where two additional World Cup spots will be contested, according to Xinhua. In Group B, Jordan made history by qualifying for its first World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Oman. South Korea, a regular participant on the world stage, secured a 2-0 away win against Iraq to maintain its perfect run since 1986. Iraq will join the playoffs, while the final playoff spot from the group will be decided between Oman and Palestine, who face off in the final round. China's slim hopes were extinguished in Group C after a 1-0 defeat to Indonesia in Jakarta. Ole Romeny converted a penalty just before halftime to secure the win and send Indonesia to the playoff round, while China was left to reflect on another unsuccessful campaign. Bahrain also exited contention following a 2-0 loss to Saudi Arabia. In another match, Australia claimed a 1-0 victory over Japan in Perth, positioning itself strongly to secure a direct berth from the group. The Socceroos lead Saudi Arabia by three points and have a +8 goal difference advantage heading into the final round. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19, with 48 teams competing across 48 venues. (With IANS Inputs)
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Uzbekistan Savor Sweet Taste of Success after Sealing World Cup Spot
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 have tried and failed to qualify seven times since their 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 their 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 center 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.
CNN
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Rising Uzbekistan secure soccer World Cup debut, first ever Central Asian nation to qualify
Uzbekistan qualified for its debut soccer World Cup on Thursday night, becoming the first ever Central Asian country to make it to the sport's global showpiece. A 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi secured the White Wolves a top-two finish in Group A of Asian Qualifiers, and a ticket to the tournament next summer in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov's six saves, including a last-second stop, guaranteed his team a priceless point, to proceed with one game of qualifying remaining. Fans celebrated the news across the soccer-obsessed nation, with people taking to the streets to cheer and march, with traditional music and songs. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called qualification 'a brilliant result, which will be written in golden letters in the annals of our national sport,' in a statement posted online. He added that the players had brought 'a holiday gift' on the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, widely observed in the majority-Muslim nation. The team's historic achievement is no major surprise to followers of Asian soccer, given the burgeoning talent among its squad. The side's talented 21-year-old center back Abdukodir Khusanov now plays for Manchester City, having signed for the English giants in January for a reported £33.6 million (about $45 million). Striker Eldor Shomurodov has played in Italy's top league since 2020, while promising forward Abbosbek Fayzullaev, currently at CSKA Moscow, was named Asia's Youth Player of the Year two years ago. The breakthrough is the fruit of incredible recent performance in all age groups for the nation of 36 million people, which became independent in 1991 after the dissolution of the USSR. Its trophy cabinet includes the Under-23 Asian Cup in 2018 and the Under-20 Asian Cup in 2023, as well as this year's Under-17 Asian Cup. The team – currently ranked 57th in the world – also qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time in 2024, claiming one of Asia's three berths. The 2026 World Cup will for the first time expand from 32 teams to 48 teams, giving each continent, including Asia, additional spots, though qualifying automatically – with a game to spare – suggests Uzbekistan would have made it even under the previous format. While soccer has long been beloved across the Central Asian region, that popularity has never been matched by international success at senior level. With qualification secured, Uzbekistan's fans can celebrate on home turf when they face Qatar in the final match of the round, in the capital Tashkent on Wednesday. Just hours after Uzbekistan's triumph, Jordan become the next Asian country to make history, securing its first ever trip to the World Cup, defeating Oman 3-0. Elsewhere in the region, Japan, Australia, Iran, and South Korea – all World Cup regulars – have also booked their places at next year's finals.
CNA
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Uzbekistan savour sweet taste of success after sealing World Cup spot
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 have tried and failed to qualify seven times since their 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 their 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.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Uzbekistan savour sweet taste of success after sealing World Cup spot
June 6 (Reuters) - 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 have tried and failed to qualify seven times since their 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 their 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.
