Latest news with #TimurKapadze
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Uzbekistan, Jordan savour sweet taste of success after making World Cup for first time
Uzbekistan coach Timur Kapadze lauded the efforts of his players but said 'this victory belongs to all of us' after the Central Asian country qualified for the World Cup for the first time. In Jordan, meanwhile, huge celebrations erupted after the national team also qualified for the 2026 World Cup, earning their first-ever spot at the four-yearly football bonanza following a decisive 3-0 victory against Oman. While Uzbekistan and Jordan made history on Thursday, the pair will be joined by perennial participants South Korea, who also booked their place. Uzbekistan's White Wolves – ranked 57th in the world – claimed their spot 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 drone show in Amman to celebrate Jordan's qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Photo: Xinhua 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.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Uzbekistan Coach Says Historic World Cup Qualification For 'Our Entire People'
Uzbekistan's coach said "this victory belongs to all of us" after steering the Central Asian nation to the World Cup for the first time in their history. A 0-0 draw at the United Arab Emirates on Thursday was enough to seal the landmark with a game to go in Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America. The expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams has given traditional outsiders such as Uzbekistan the chance to break into the top ranks of world football. "We have come a long way and achieved an important result," their coach Timur Kapadze said, according to the Asian Football Confederation. "We congratulate our entire people and our president. This victory belongs to all of us. "Yesterday and today the phone calls have not stopped." Uzbekistan started competing as an independent nation in the 1990s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Backed by state funding, Uzbekistan are one of Asia's fastest-developing footballing nations. They are ranked 57th in the world. "Everyone said they would support us and pray for us, the wishes for victory were a great inspiration for us," said Kapadze, who replaced Srecko Katanec as head coach in January. "My players showed determination in every game, they did their best, and that is why we achieved the result." Footage shared on social media showed the players, draped in national flags, mobbing Kapadze in the press room after getting the point they needed. Uzbekistan are second behind also qualified Iran in Group A with five wins, three draws and one defeat. They play their final qualifier on Tuesday home to Qatar in the capital Tashkent. pst/rsc
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 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.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Uzbekistan, Jordan earn first World Cup berths
Uzbekistan and Jordan have progressed to the World Cup finals for the first time as regular qualifiers South Korea also booked their place in North America next year with a 2-0 win over Iraq in Basra. Uzbekistan claimed their spot at the expanded 48-team finals with a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Timur Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A of the preliminaries alongside already-qualified Iran. Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu were on target in the second half for the Koreans against 10-man Iraq and that win not only secured qualification for Hong Myung-bo's side from Group B, but confirmed Jordan would also progress. The west Asians had beaten Oman 3-0 earlier in the evening through a hat-trick from Ali Olwan, but Jamal Sellami's side had to wait for the outcome of Iraq's meeting with the Koreans before being able to celebrate their World Cup berth. Australia also stand on the cusp of a place at the finals after Aziz Behich scored the only goal in his side's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth in Group C. Victory keeps Tony Popovic's side three points clear of Saudi Arabia, who won 2-0 against Bahrain in Riffa, with one game to play. Goals from Musab Al-Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al-Obud earned Saudi Arabia a win that put Australia's celebrations on hold until they meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. Australia's vastly superior goal difference means they can lose that meeting with the Saudis by up to four goals and still advance to a sixth consecutive World Cup finals as second-placed finishers behind the Japanese. Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov made a string of second-half saves in Abu Dhabi to frustrate the UAE and earn his nation their first World Cup qualification since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The draw means the UAE will now progress to the fourth round of qualifying as the point earned guarantees a third- or fourth-placed finish in Group A. They will be joined in the next phase by 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, who managed a 1-0 win over 10-man Iran through Pedro Correia's 41st-minute close-range goal. Indonesia guaranteed their involvement would also continue into the fourth round with a 1-0 win over China that ended the qualification hopes of Branko Ivankovic's side. Ole Romeny's 45th-minute penalty separated the sides in Jakarta to ensure Indonesia would finish in either third or fourth place in Group C, thereby progressing to the next phase. Goals from Tamer Seyam and Wessam Abou Ali kept Palestine's chances of going through to the next round intact, with a 2-0 win over hosts Kuwait moving Ihab Abujazar's side to within one point of Oman in fourth place in Group B. The first two finishers in each of the three qualifying groups progress automatically to the World Cup while the teams in third and fourth advance to October's fourth round to battle for another two berths at the finals. Kyrgyzstan will not be among those competing for the remaining slots after their 2-2 draw with North Korea in Riyadh ended their chances of going through to the fourth round. Uzbekistan and Jordan have progressed to the World Cup finals for the first time as regular qualifiers South Korea also booked their place in North America next year with a 2-0 win over Iraq in Basra. Uzbekistan claimed their spot at the expanded 48-team finals with a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Timur Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A of the preliminaries alongside already-qualified Iran. Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu were on target in the second half for the Koreans against 10-man Iraq and that win not only secured qualification for Hong Myung-bo's side from Group B, but confirmed Jordan would also progress. The west Asians had beaten Oman 3-0 earlier in the evening through a hat-trick from Ali Olwan, but Jamal Sellami's side had to wait for the outcome of Iraq's meeting with the Koreans before being able to celebrate their World Cup berth. Australia also stand on the cusp of a place at the finals after Aziz Behich scored the only goal in his side's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth in Group C. Victory keeps Tony Popovic's side three points clear of Saudi Arabia, who won 2-0 against Bahrain in Riffa, with one game to play. Goals from Musab Al-Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al-Obud earned Saudi Arabia a win that put Australia's celebrations on hold until they meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. Australia's vastly superior goal difference means they can lose that meeting with the Saudis by up to four goals and still advance to a sixth consecutive World Cup finals as second-placed finishers behind the Japanese. Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov made a string of second-half saves in Abu Dhabi to frustrate the UAE and earn his nation their first World Cup qualification since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The draw means the UAE will now progress to the fourth round of qualifying as the point earned guarantees a third- or fourth-placed finish in Group A. They will be joined in the next phase by 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, who managed a 1-0 win over 10-man Iran through Pedro Correia's 41st-minute close-range goal. Indonesia guaranteed their involvement would also continue into the fourth round with a 1-0 win over China that ended the qualification hopes of Branko Ivankovic's side. Ole Romeny's 45th-minute penalty separated the sides in Jakarta to ensure Indonesia would finish in either third or fourth place in Group C, thereby progressing to the next phase. Goals from Tamer Seyam and Wessam Abou Ali kept Palestine's chances of going through to the next round intact, with a 2-0 win over hosts Kuwait moving Ihab Abujazar's side to within one point of Oman in fourth place in Group B. The first two finishers in each of the three qualifying groups progress automatically to the World Cup while the teams in third and fourth advance to October's fourth round to battle for another two berths at the finals. Kyrgyzstan will not be among those competing for the remaining slots after their 2-2 draw with North Korea in Riyadh ended their chances of going through to the fourth round. Uzbekistan and Jordan have progressed to the World Cup finals for the first time as regular qualifiers South Korea also booked their place in North America next year with a 2-0 win over Iraq in Basra. Uzbekistan claimed their spot at the expanded 48-team finals with a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Timur Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A of the preliminaries alongside already-qualified Iran. Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu were on target in the second half for the Koreans against 10-man Iraq and that win not only secured qualification for Hong Myung-bo's side from Group B, but confirmed Jordan would also progress. The west Asians had beaten Oman 3-0 earlier in the evening through a hat-trick from Ali Olwan, but Jamal Sellami's side had to wait for the outcome of Iraq's meeting with the Koreans before being able to celebrate their World Cup berth. Australia also stand on the cusp of a place at the finals after Aziz Behich scored the only goal in his side's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth in Group C. Victory keeps Tony Popovic's side three points clear of Saudi Arabia, who won 2-0 against Bahrain in Riffa, with one game to play. Goals from Musab Al-Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al-Obud earned Saudi Arabia a win that put Australia's celebrations on hold until they meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. Australia's vastly superior goal difference means they can lose that meeting with the Saudis by up to four goals and still advance to a sixth consecutive World Cup finals as second-placed finishers behind the Japanese. Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov made a string of second-half saves in Abu Dhabi to frustrate the UAE and earn his nation their first World Cup qualification since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The draw means the UAE will now progress to the fourth round of qualifying as the point earned guarantees a third- or fourth-placed finish in Group A. They will be joined in the next phase by 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, who managed a 1-0 win over 10-man Iran through Pedro Correia's 41st-minute close-range goal. Indonesia guaranteed their involvement would also continue into the fourth round with a 1-0 win over China that ended the qualification hopes of Branko Ivankovic's side. Ole Romeny's 45th-minute penalty separated the sides in Jakarta to ensure Indonesia would finish in either third or fourth place in Group C, thereby progressing to the next phase. Goals from Tamer Seyam and Wessam Abou Ali kept Palestine's chances of going through to the next round intact, with a 2-0 win over hosts Kuwait moving Ihab Abujazar's side to within one point of Oman in fourth place in Group B. The first two finishers in each of the three qualifying groups progress automatically to the World Cup while the teams in third and fourth advance to October's fourth round to battle for another two berths at the finals. Kyrgyzstan will not be among those competing for the remaining slots after their 2-2 draw with North Korea in Riyadh ended their chances of going through to the fourth round.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
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.
