Victory equals defeat

Another challenging, exciting, and nerve-wracking week has ended for Uzbek football. Based on the last two matches of the Uzbek national team, it's evident that Uzbekistan is gradually inching closer to the World Cup, largely driven by the remarkable efforts of a 21-year-old player. While this does not overshadow the contributions of the rest of the team, Abbosbek Fayzullayev has emerged as a standout performer.

If Uzbekistan qualifies for the World Cup, it will fulfill the dreams of 37 million citizens. However, despite defeating North Korea, the game exposed significant challenges that lie ahead. The performance against the Koreans raises valid concerns about the team's readiness for the World Cup. Naturally, the questions surrounding the national team—delivering results but lacking in gameplay—remain pressing, as does the scrutiny of Slovenian coach Srechko Katanets.

Today, we reflect on an insightful and difficult week for Uzbek football.

Uzbekistan Defeats North Korea in a Tight Match

On November 19, the Uzbekistan national team secured a 1:0 victory against North Korea in the 6th round of the 3rd Asian qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup.

Despite numerous opportunities created by Srechko Katanets' squad, the only goal came in the 44th minute. Abbosbek Fayzullayev’s long-range shot, deflected by an opponent, found the back of the net.

The game became even more intense in the 83rd minute when a Uzbek defender handled the ball inside the penalty area. Referee Umar Eshmurodov showed a red card to the defender and awarded a penalty to North Korea. However, goalkeeper Otkir Yusupov saved the penalty, playing a pivotal role in Uzbekistan's victory.

Performance Ratings of the Uzbek Players

Abbosbek Fayzullayev’s exceptional performance earned him the highest rating (7.8 points) in the North Korea-Uzbekistan match, as reported by Sofascore. Fayzullayev actively contributed to the team's attacks and scored the match's only goal.

Goalkeeper Otkir Yusupov, who saved a crucial penalty, received a commendable rating of 7.7 points.

The lowest rating, 6.5 points, went to Umar Eshmurodov, who was sent off in the second half.

Following six rounds, Uzbekistan stands in 2nd place in Group A with 13 points. Iran leads with 16 points after defeating Kyrgyzstan, while the UAE occupies 3rd place with 10 points.

Utkir Yusupov: "We Agreed to Play from the Heart"

After the match, goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov shared his thoughts:

“We are satisfied with the game. I am happy we secured three points. Everyone gave their all. We had agreed beforehand that if we combined good tactics with heartfelt play, we would win. And you saw it—everyone gave their best on the field.”

In the match's closing stages, Yusupov made multiple critical saves, including the penalty, ensuring Uzbekistan's narrow victory.

Srechko Katanets: "I Am Doing My Job"

Head coach Srechko Katanets reflected on the match at a post-game press conference:

“We played very well in the first half and created good chances. Unfortunately, we missed many of them. If Bobur Abdukholikov had scored early in the second half, the game would have been much easier.”

Katanets attributed the tough victory to several factors, including adverse conditions like high humidity and time differences. He also mentioned the absence of key players, praising the substitutes for their positive performances. The coach highlighted poor playing conditions in Laos, calling for action from the Asian Football Confederation to ensure player safety.

Looking ahead, Katanets said:

“I am doing my job. We’ve earned 13 out of 18 points in six matches. There are four more games, and we aim to collect 12 points. We’ll strive to qualify early but must maintain focus until the final match.”

Utkir Yusupov Named in Symbolic Team of the Week

Uzbek goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov was included in the symbolic team for the 6th round of the World Cup qualifiers by Sofascore. The team also featured players from Japan, Indonesia, the UAE, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, and Saudi Arabia.

Notably, the list included Joel Kojo, a Kyrgyz player who competed in the Uzbekistan Championship, and Fabio de Lima, a UAE player with previous Uzbek citizenship.

Uzbekistan's Chances of World Cup Qualification

According to "We Global," Uzbekistan's chances of qualifying for the World Cup as the 2nd-place team are estimated at 78%. However, their chances of topping the group are just 8%, with Iran heavily favored to finish 1st with a 91.3% probability.

In Group B, South Korea and Iraq are expected to qualify directly, while Group C is led by Japan and Australia.

FIFA Recognizes Fayzullayev

The International Football Federation (FIFA) has named Abbosbek Fayzullayev as one of six standout young players in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

“Fayzullayev, named ‘Best Young Player of the Year’ by the OFC, continues to shine for Uzbekistan. Despite his small stature, he possesses exceptional technical skills. His long-range goal against North Korea underscores his contribution to Uzbekistan's historic quest for World Cup qualification,” FIFA stated.

Fayzullayev has scored three goals in Uzbekistan’s last two matches, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star in international football.