Latest news with #UtkirYusupov
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Asia's chokers' smile at last: Uzbekistan's hurt over as they reach first World Cup
There was no choking for Uzbekistan this time, or if there was, it was in an attempt to hold back tears of joy. Those eight minutes of added time on Thursday in Abu Dhabi were long but then it has been a long wait and a long road to qualify for a first World Cup. Uzbekistan have snatched summers of rest from the jaws of World Cup appearances more than once in the past, so the goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov could be forgiven for taking his time and faking an injury or two. He was the star of a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates that was dull – deliberately and deliciously so for those in Central Asia – but provided the necessary point. Yusupov went down once more at the end, this time in tears as reserve goalkeepers came on for a group hug. Advertisement The coach, Timur Kapadze, was embracing his coaching staff. The former midfielder, who looks the same as he did in his playing prime, because he had the appearance of a 43-year-old once halfway through a career that brought him 119 Uzbekistan caps, has been in the job since Srecko Katanec stepped down in January owing to ill health. The man who led his native Slovenia to the 2002 World Cup deserves plenty of credit. So does Kapadze. As 'Mr Uzbekistan football', he knows all about past heartbreaks and was part of the team that made it as far as a playoff against Bahrain during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers. In the first leg at home in Tashkent, Uzbekistan were leading 1-0 when Server Djeparov thought he had scored a penalty to make it 2-0. The Japanese referee, spying encroachment, blew his whistle but, instead of ordering a retake, gave Bahrain a free-kick. 'Nobody could believe what was happening,' said Uzbekistan's coach, Bob Houghton, a globe-trotting Englishman who had led Malmö to the final of the 1979 European Cup final, which they lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest. 'People were just looking at each other, confused and scratching their heads. If that penalty had counted, we were so dominant that I think we would have won three- or four-nil and then we are almost there.' It would have meant a final playoff against Trinidad & Tobago for a place in England's group in Germany. 'Everyone was very angry and it was a tragedy for the country,' Houghton said. 'The federation was very upset, of course. I remember the original game and leaving the pitch at half-time. I saw the fourth official and said to him: 'What the hell is that?' And he said: 'It's a new rule.' I then saw the head of the Uzbek referee commission … he just said: 'I don't think that is right.' And soon we were on the phone to Fifa.' Advertisement Uzbekistan demanded a 3-0 win and had arrived in Manama for the second leg when they were told by Fifa, which said the retake had been a technical error, to turn around to Tashkent to replay the first. They ended up going out on away goals (that Bahrain were eliminated from 2026 qualification on Thursday at the same time Uzbekistan were celebrating was another little bonus for the White Wolves). For the 2014 tournament, there was a more conventional disappointment, with South Korea going to Brazil because of a goal difference better by one. Four years later, revenge would have been sweet had Uzbekistan beaten South Korea in Tashkent but it ended goalless. Given that the former Soviet republic, which joined Fifa and the Asian Football Confederation in 1994, have reached the last eight in four of the past five Asian Cups but got to the last four once, questions about their mentality were understandable. Now those have been answered. Their five wins from nine games in this third round of qualification have come by a single goal, and four have been 1-0. A solid defence, led by Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov, who arrived in Abu Dhabi from his wedding, has been the foundation. Roma's Eldor Shomurodov of Roma is the talisman in attack and CSKA Moscow's Abbosbek Fayzullaev, a 21-year-old winger, is one of Asia's most exciting talents. Whereas a growing number of nations have naturalised in pursuit of World Cup dreams – most of the UAE's starting XI were not born in the country – Uzbekistan have done it the other way and have a national team with a club atmosphere. Recent success in youth tournaments in Asia is not a coincidence, the country having invested time and money in development in the past decade. The support came from the very top, facilities were built/improved, coaches were educated, players found and chances given, helped by the formation of Olympic Tashkent in 2021, a top-tier club reserved for young talent. Advertisement Their coach until last summer? Kapadze. He also led the under-23s to the Asian final in 2022 and 2024, earning a first Olympic appearance. Only one point was earned in Paris but the defeats by Spain and Egypt came by a single goal. Two months ago, the under-17s became continental champions. In 2023, the unders-20s did the same and qualified for the World Cup, where they made the last 16. That would do nicely next summer but how Uzbekistan will get on in North America is a question that can wait. This is a time for celebrating a new beginning as well as the loss of that label of 'Asia's chokers'.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
‘Asia's chokers' smile at last: Uzbekistan's hurt over as they reach first World Cup
There was no choking for Uzbekistan this time, or if there was, it was in an attempt to hold back tears of joy. Those eight minutes of added time on Thursday in Abu Dhabi were long but then it has been a long wait and a long road to qualify for a first World Cup. Uzbekistan have snatched summers of rest from the jaws of World Cup appearances more than once in the past, so the goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov could be forgiven for taking his time and faking an injury or two. He was the star of a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates that was dull – deliberately and deliciously so for those in Central Asia – but provided the necessary point. Yusupov went down once more at the end, this time in tears as reserve goalkeepers came on for a group hug. The coach, Timur Kapadze, was embracing his coaching staff. The former midfielder, who looks the same as he did in his playing prime, because he had the appearance of a 43-year-old once halfway through a career that brought him 119 Uzbekistan caps, has been in the job since Srecko Katanec stepped down in January owing to ill health. The man who led his native Slovenia to the 2002 World Cup deserves plenty of credit. So does Kapadze. As 'Mr Uzbekistan football', he knows all about past heartbreaks and was part of the team that made it as far as a playoff against Bahrain during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers. In the first leg at home in Tashkent, Uzbekistan were leading 1-0 when Server Djeparov thought he had scored a penalty to make it 2-0. The Japanese referee, spying encroachment, blew his whistle but, instead of ordering a retake, gave Bahrain a free-kick. 'Nobody could believe what was happening,' said Uzbekistan's coach, Bob Houghton, a globe-trotting Englishman who had led Malmö to the final of the 1979 European Cup final, which they lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest. 'People were just looking at each other, confused and scratching their heads. If that penalty had counted, we were so dominant that I think we would have won three- or four-nil and then we are almost there.' It would have meant a final playoff against Trinidad & Tobago for a place in England's group in Germany. 'Everyone was very angry and it was a tragedy for the country,' Houghton said. 'The federation was very upset, of course. I remember the original game and leaving the pitch at half-time. I saw the fourth official and said to him: 'What the hell is that?' And he said: 'It's a new rule.' I then saw the head of the Uzbek referee commission … he just said: 'I don't think that is right.' And soon we were on the phone to Fifa.' Uzbekistan demanded a 3-0 win and had arrived in Manama for the second leg when they were told by Fifa, which said the retake had been a technical error, to turn around to Tashkent to replay the first. They ended up going out on away goals (that Bahrain were eliminated from 2026 qualification on Thursday at the same time Uzbekistan were celebrating was another little bonus for the White Wolves). For the 2014 tournament, there was a more conventional disappointment, with South Korea going to Brazil because of a goal difference better by one. Four years later, revenge would have been sweet had Uzbekistan beaten South Korea in Tashkent but it ended goalless. Given that the former Soviet republic, which joined Fifa and the Asian Football Confederation in 1994, have reached the last eight in four of the past five Asian Cups but got to the last four once, questions about their mentality were understandable. Now those have been answered. Their five wins from nine games in this third round of qualification have come by a single goal, and four have been 1-0. A solid defence, led by Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov, who arrived in Abu Dhabi from his wedding, has been the foundation. Roma's Eldor Shomurodov of Roma is the talisman in attack and CSKA Moscow's Abbosbek Fayzullaev, a 21-year-old winger, is one of Asia's most exciting talents. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Whereas a growing number of nations have naturalised in pursuit of World Cup dreams – most of the UAE's starting XI were not born in the country – Uzbekistan have done it the other way and have a national team with a club atmosphere. Recent success in youth tournaments in Asia is not a coincidence, the country having invested time and money in development in the past decade. The support came from the very top, facilities were built/improved, coaches were educated, players found and chances given, helped by the formation of Olympic Tashkent in 2021, a top-tier club reserved for young talent. Their coach until last summer? Kapadze. He also led the under-23s to the Asian final in 2022 and 2024, earning a first Olympic appearance. Only one point was earned in Paris but the defeats by Spain and Egypt came by a single goal. Two months ago, the under-17s became continental champions. In 2023, the unders-20s did the same and qualified for the World Cup, where they made the last 16. That would do nicely next summer but how Uzbekistan will get on in North America is a question that can wait. This is a time for celebrating a new beginning as well as the loss of that label of 'Asia's chokers'.
Dubai Eye
2 days ago
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
Uzbekistan qualifies for FIFA World Cup following draw with UAE
Uzbekistan has qualified for its first-ever FIFA World Cup after a goalless draw with the UAE at Al Nahyan Stadium on Thursday. The result also sees the UAE advance to the next stage of qualifying with 14 points, maintaining their hopes for a second appearance at the global finals. Uzbekistan withstood several late threats, with goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov making two crucial saves to deny the UAE a winner. The UAE, now third in Group A, will face Kyrgyzstan in the tenth and final round of qualifiers. Uzbekistan finished second in the group with 18 points, qualifying for the World Cup alongside Iran.
The National
2 days ago
- Sport
- The National
UAE coach Cosmin Olaroiu still believes in ‘once in a lifetime chance' of World Cup qualification
The difference could not have been any more acute. While the emotions poured out of Uzbekistan's players, officials, media and supporters in scenes of mass euphoria, the UAE were merely numb. Not disconsolate. Just flat. Just as their performance had been on a frustrating first night for new coach Cosmin Olaroiu. It is not over for the national team. But they would certainly have preferred to have been in their opposition's boots on a peculiar night in Abu Dhabi. The Uzbeks had achieved the dream: a first ever appearance at a World Cup. They had done so with courage and skill, too, if not necessarily panache. All they needed was a point to secure the second automatic qualifying place from this stage of Asian qualifying. If it was achieved via a stalemate, then so be it. They blocked up the middle of the field, massed the defence, and the UAE realistically got nowhere near as a result. It was a defensive masterclass, which brought with it an outpouring of joy. The Uzbek section at the Al Nahyan Stadium was kept to around 1,000 fans. Yet hundreds more had made it inside, while thousands of others were left outside, wanting to share in their moment of history. When it was achieved, players and staff were in tears. Utkir Yusupov, the goalkeeper who was named player of the match on behalf of his side's defensive effort, fell to his knees and cried. Just as the dedications were starting – to the president, and all the people of Uzbekistan – the press conference was ambushed by fevered players. Some traded doppis – the traditional Uzbek skullcap – with thrilled travelling journalists. Abdukodir Khusanov, the Manchester City defender who had coincidentally achieved his ambition in a match played in the city of his ultimate employers, hugged anyone and everyone. Timur Kapadze, the Uzbek manager, had a brief and unspectacular stint playing for Sharjah for a few months back in 2012. His opposite number, Olaroiu, had arrived direct from the same club amid much fanfare about what he could achieve in his new posting with the UAE. A new manager bounce was required from a UAE side who needed two wins from their final two games to stand a chance of progressing directly to the World Cup. It did not quite work out that way. The goalless draw rendered that impossible, meaning they will now have to navigate an extra round in October. 'The disappointment is very big because it was very near,' Olaroiu said. 'We controlled more, had more possession, had more chances than them, but unfortunately we didn't score. 'It was not exactly the perfect game and I think we can improve. We have to continue to believe and fight for the second chance that we are going to have in October. 'Uzbekistan tried to keep it 0-0 and they did it in the end. For them to qualify, it is a big achievement for their football. Now, we hope it will be our turn.' The home team had 62 per cent of possession, but the chances they were able to fashion were few. When they did eke out openings, Yusupov was good enough to repel them. He turned away a Lucas Pimenta header, as well as low shots from Fabio De Lima and Yahya Al Ghassani. Despite the draw, all is not lost. The UAE head to Bishkek next for a match against Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday that is now essentially meaningless. It will, though, be another chance for Olaroiu to impress his ideas on a set of players whom he has been with for barely a week so far. He does now have the chance to build something for the next shot at qualification. The fourth round of the Asian qualifying process will involve six teams, playing in two groups in October. The third and fourth placed teams from the current round will be split into two groups of three. The sides will then play each other once each over the course of a week, with the winners advancing to the United States, Canada and Mexico next year. So far, four of the teams involved are confirmed: the UAE, Qatar, Iraq and Indonesia. Saudi Arabia will almost certainly be involved, while the other team will be either Oman or Palestine. Olaroiu said the incentive at that event will be massive. Now is the time to work out the details of how to bring about success. ' You have a once in a lifetime chance,' Olaroiu said. 'I don't think you should talk about motivation as much as preparation. 'That is the most important thing. Now is the end of the season, we have a break, then the clubs will start their preparations. 'In September, there is [an international] break and we will have some friendly games. The preparation is very, very important because the work the clubs will do now will influence it.'
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
FIFA World Cup 2026 status check: As Uzbekistan, Jordan create history, a look at all teams that have qualified so far
Three more teams confirmed their spots at the expanded 2026 Fifa World Cup as Uzbekistan, Jordan and South Korea booked their ticks on Thursday. Uzbekistan and Jordan qualified for the men's Fifa World Cup for the first time in history, while South Korea sealed their 11th straight appearance. The 2026 World Cup will have a record 48 teams in the tournament to be co-hosted the United States, Mexico and Canada. History for Uzbekistan & Jordan A 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi was enough for Uzbekistan to take the second automatic qualification spot in Group A behind Iran with a game to spare. The Central Asian team and fans celebrated together at the end and had goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov to thank for a number of important saves. As well as the six automatic qualifiers from Asia, the UAE and Qatar, who defeated the already-qualified Iran 1-0, will finish third and fourth and advance to the next stage, where six teams will compete for two more places at the 2026 World Cup. In Group B, South Korea won 2-0 in Iraq to clinch its place. The Taeguk Warriors were helped by Ali Al-Hamadi's first-half red card, given to the Ipswich Town striker for a high kick. Kim Jin-gyu put Korea ahead just after the hour, and the victory was sealed by Oh Hyeon-gyu eight minutes from the end. It was also enough for Jordan, who earlier beat Oman 3-0 to clinch a place in the top two. All three goals were scored by Ali Olwan. Group C saw China eliminated after a 1-0 loss to Indonesia in Jakarta. Elsewhere in the group, a last-minute goal from Aziz Behich gave Australia a 1-0 win over Japan, already qualified, in Perth to put the Socceroos within touching distance of a sixth straight World Cup appearance. How does qualification work for 2028? Forty-three teams will get their spots through the various continental qualifying pathways. Out of these, Asia will have eight direct berths and one in the intercontinental playoff. Africa has nine direct spots plus one for the intercontinental playoff. North and Central America, plus the Caribbean get three direct berths (plus the three host nations) and another two spots in the intercontinental playoffs. South America has six direct spots and will send another team to the intercontinental playoffs. Oceania for the first time has a guaranteed spot — New Zealand clinched that in March. It could add another with New Caledonia going into the intercontinental playoffs. Europe will have 16 spots, typically the continent with the most representation. Another two will secure their berths in the international playoffs featuring six teams and scheduled for March 2026. Which teams have qualified so far? Host nations (automatic qualification): United States, Mexico, Canada From Asia: Japan (qualified on March 20), Iran (qualified on March 25), Jordan (qualified on June 5), South Korea (qualified on June 5), Uzbekistan (qualified on June 5) From Oceania: New Zealand (qualified on March 24) From South America: Argentina (qualified on March 25). (With Reuters and AP inputs)
