Lost generation of the Mexico World Cup

The U-17 Asian Cup kicked off in Saudi Arabia on April 3 of this year. The Uzbek national team in this age group took its first step toward the World Cup by defeating Thailand 4-1 in the first round on April 3. On April 6, they defeated China 2-1 in the second round to secure a place in this year's World Cup in Qatar. On April 9, they defeated the host Saudi Arabia 3-0 and advanced to the next stage as group leaders. In the quarter-finals, the Uzbek national team, which faced the UAE team, won 3-1 and advanced to the semi-finals. Against the backdrop of this tournament, QALAMPIR.UZ will focus on the players and results of the Uzbek national team in this age group, particularly their first participation in the World Cup — the 2011 World Cup in Mexico.

First steps on the world stage

The U-17 Uzbekistan national team, coached by Alexei Evstafeev, reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Mexico for the first time.

First, let's discuss the team’s participation in the Asian Cup. Tashkent hosted the 2010 U-16 Asian Cup, where Uzbekistan advanced to the next stage as group leaders, leaving behind Jordan, Indonesia, and Tajikistan in Group A. Uzbekistan, playing against Syria for a place, won 2-1. In the semi-finals, they defeated Australia by the same score. In the final, they lost 2-0 to North Korea. However, they secured a spot in the 2011 World Cup in Mexico. This match was refereed by Iranian referee Alireza Fagani, who sent off two of Uzbekistan's leading players, Sardor Rakhmonov and Abbas Makhsitaliev, with red cards. At the end of the match, Mirabror Usmanov, the head of the Uzbekistan Football Federation at the time, refused to shake hands with the referee.

The Uzbek U-17 team, placed in Group D at the 2011 World Cup, left behind the United States, New Zealand, and the Czech Republic to advance to the next round as the group leaders. In the first round, Uzbekistan, playing without two key players, Sardor Rakhmonov and Abbas Makhsitaliev, lost to New Zealand with a heavy score of 4-1. In the second round, they defeated both the United States and the Czech Republic with the same score of 2-1. In the quarter-finals, Evstafeev's team triumphed over old friends Australia with a decisive 4-0 win. However, in the semi-finals, the Uzbek team could not overcome the challenge posed by Uruguay, one of the tournament favorites, and lost 2-0. Despite the defeat, Alexei Evstafeev and his team made history by becoming the first Uzbek youth team to reach the World Cup and the quarter-finals. The players and coaches who participated in the tournament in Mexico were awarded cars by the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov.

Talents who shone at the World Cup

Under the guidance of head coach Alexei Evstafeev, talented players such as goalkeeper Ganisher Kholmurodov, defender Javlon Mirabdullaev, midfielder Abbasbek Makhsitaliev, and forwards Temur Khakimov and Bobur Davlatov caught the attention of fans with their skills at this World Cup. Abbasbek Makhsitaliev and Temur Khakimov both scored 3 goals each during the tournament.

These players were seen as the future of Uzbek football after the World Cup, expected to lead the national team to future World Cups. It was reported that Makhsitaliev and Khakimov had received offers from Monaco and Chelsea. However, following the tournament in Mexico, none of these players managed to build a significant career. Some suffered injuries and could not cope with the competition at their clubs, while their performances declined sharply. There were also speculations that Temur Khakimov lost his form due to overindulgence. Additionally, there were rumors that several players in this tournament had been "shot," meaning their age had been artificially reduced, which may have impacted their development.

A few years after the tournament in Mexico, in 2013, players like Abbas Makhsitaliev, Sardor Rakhmonov, and Maximilian Fomin from the 2011 team participated in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey. They advanced to the next stage by finishing third in the group. In the semi-finals, under Akhmadjon Musaev's leadership, they defeated Greece 3-1. However, in the quarter-finals, they lost to France, led by Paul Pogba, with a heavy 4-0 scoreline.

After the 2013 tournament in Turkey, Abbas Makhsitaliev played for clubs like Pakhtakor, Neftchi, Navbahor, Surkhan, Yangier, and Istiklol. Currently, he works for the Syrdarya Football Association.

After the 2011 Mexico tournament, Temur Khakimov played for Pakhtakor for a while. At that time, he even received offers from German club Stuttgart, English Chelsea, and Russian Zenit. However, in 2013, he unexpectedly did not receive a call-up to the U-20 World Cup in Turkey. He then played on loan for Andijan before Samvel Babayan returned him to Pakhtakor. Khakimov, who played as a central striker for Pakhtakor, had to go on loan to OKMK. His career declined over time, and he played for OK Tepa, Dynamo, Sogdiana, Obod, Neftchi, and Kokand-1912. Khakimov's last team was Dynamo Samarkand. Ultimately, in 2023, one of the heroes of the 2011 World Cup in Mexico, Temur Khakimov, ended his football career.

Another player who shone at the 2011 World Cup was defender Javlon Mirabdullaev. Mirabdullaev was one of Evstafeev's most trusted players, playing alongside Sardor Rakhmonov in the center of defense. After the tournament, he played for clubs such as Bunyodkor, Andijan, and Metallurg. His last club was Metallurg in Bekabad. In 2022, Mirabdullaev was forced to end his football career due to heart problems. Temur Khakimov spoke warmly about his teammate.

“If Javlon had not had a heart problem, he would have been one of the best central defenders in Uzbekistan. He was even a world-class player. He even played in the Asian Champions League for Bunyodkor,” says Khakimov.

Do you remember goalkeeper Ganisher Kholmurodov, who saved a penalty in the match against Uruguay? Kholmurodov, who was the main goalkeeper of the national team at that time, was considered a real find for coach Evstafeev. The goalkeeper, who guarded the goal in several youth categories of Uzbekistan, played for Mubarak’s Mash’al team for a while after the tournament in Mexico. He then moved to Kosan’s Alanga team in 2013. However, Kholmurodov was forced to end his football career for one reason. According to reports, in 2013, Kholmurodov informed the coach and club management that he would go to military service and continue his career after his return, if he was allowed to play. It seems that Kholmurodov was unable to resume his career after military service and retired from football.

One of the players who shone in the tournament in Mexico and has managed to maintain his form and continue his meaningful career to this day is Pakhtakor's leader, Sardor Sobirkhodjaev. After the tournament, Sobirkhodjaev played for Pakhtakor's youth team for a while and then for Bunyodkor. Sobirkhodjaev received a call-up to the national team for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey. Having been one of the team's key players at this World Cup, Sobirkhodjaev became one of Bunyodkor's key players after the championship. In 2016, he signed a contract with Sogdiana in Jizzakh. After a half-season in Jizzakh, Sobirkhodjaev moved to Obod in Tashkent. He then continued his career at Shurtan in Guzar. In the summer of 2017, he returned to Bunyodkor. After spending two years with the Swallows, Sardor Sobirkhodjaev moved to Pakhtakor in Tashkent in January 2019. He has been playing for the Lions ever since and has become a key player for Pakhtakor. The player's market value is estimated at 500 thousand euros on the "Transfermarkt" portal. Sobirkhodjaev became one of the few players to have a meaningful career after the tournament in Mexico.

Another participant in the 2011 U-17 World Cup was midfielder Muhsinjon Ubaydullaev. Ubaydullaev was called up to the tournament in Mexico by head coach Alexei Evstafeev after playing for the Pakhtakor academy. In the competition, he was one of the reliable players for the Uzbekistan national team. After the World Cup, he continued his career with Pakhtakor's main team. After playing for the Lions for 2-3 years, Ubaydullaev moved to Neftchi in Fergana in 2015. After three years at Neftchi, Ubaydullaev moved to Mash’al in Mubarak in 2018. The player, who did not play even a month for Mash’al, signed a contract with Kyzylkum in Navoi. After defending the honor of Navoi for four years, Ubaydullaev returned to Neftchi in Fergana in January 2022. He continues to play as one of the main players for Fergana. His market value is estimated at 200 thousand euros on the Transfermarkt portal. Ubaydullaev also participated in the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

Another Uzbek defender who shone in Mexico, Sardor Rakhmonov, is among the players who managed to have a relatively good career after the tournament. After the World Cup, he continued his career with Mash’al in Mubarak. Then, in 2013, he joined Lokomotiv Tashkent. After playing for Temiryulchilar for exactly one year, Rakhmonov moved to Neftchi Fergana in February 2014. After spending two years at Neftchi, Rakhmonov signed a contract with Bukhara in 2016. In 2017, he returned to Mash’al and in 2019 moved to OKMK Almalyk. Currently, Sardor Rakhmonov is one of the main defenders of OKMK, under the leadership of Uzbek football legend Mirjalol Kasimov. Rakhmonov also took part in the U-20 World Cup in Turkey in 2013. 

Uzbekistan is a country of talent in football, as in every other field. However, retaining those talents and continuing their careers meaningfully depends primarily on the efforts of the players and the attention of the coaches.