Sports Digest: Triumph in Saudi Arabia, World Cup dreams ahead

Uzbek players, who participated in one of the most dramatic finals in football history, the Asian champions, have returned to Tashkent. As expected, a situation that has become a tradition in Uzbekistan took place: the champions were solemnly welcomed on the red carpet. The champions are still recognized by the media, in their regions and districts, in schools, and, if necessary, even on official FIFA pages.

As always, here is a sports digest from QALAMPIR.UZ with these and other topics.

On April 20, the final of the Asian Cup among football players under 17 years of age was held in Saudi Arabia. In it, the Uzbek youth national team defeated the host Saudi team with a score of 2:0.

Sarsenbayev was shown a red card in the 40th minute of the first half, and Abdukarimov received a red card in the 45th minute. Despite being two men short, the Uzbek U-17 national team did not lose heart. In the 50th minute, Muhammad Hakimov put Uzbekistan ahead. In the 70th minute, Sadriddin Hasanov increased the difference to two goals. At the end of the match, Uzbek goalkeeper Rustamjonov made several saves and saved his team from conceding.

Thus, the Uzbek U-17 national team, under the leadership of Islam Ismailov, became the champion of the Asian Cup.

For information, the Uzbek U-17 national team won the Asian Cup for the second time.

According to the results of the competition, the “Fair Play” award went to the host Saudi Arabian national team. The best goalkeeper was Uzbekistan’s Nematullah Rustamjonov. The top scorer of the tournament was Uzbekistan's Asilbek Aliev, and the best player of the tournament was Sadriddin Hasanov.

After the final, the team's head coach, Islam Ismailov, and one of the leading players, Sadriddin Khasanov, shared their thoughts on the exciting and difficult final.

On April 21, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, congratulated the members of the national team on winning the Asian Championship held in Saudi Arabia.

"On behalf of our people, on my behalf, and from the bottom of my heart, I sincerely congratulate you on your successful participation in the prestigious tournament held in Saudi Arabia among teenagers under the age of seventeen and winning the high prize — the Asian Cup.

It would be right to say that the fact that our young, determined, and ambitious youth like you did not suffer a single defeat throughout the entire tournament, showing record results and courageously defending the honor of our beloved Motherland, is undoubtedly a glorious event that will be written in golden letters in the history of our national football.

In particular, in the final, in a fierce competition against a very strong team like the host team, Saudi Arabia, your fierce fight with nine players against eleven players, despite various pressures, was a true example of courage and fortitude. The courage and skill you demonstrated are worthy of any praise. It is worthy of respect.

It should be noted that at the end of the competition, three of our talented and skilled athletes became the owners of individual awards, including Nematullah Rustamjonov — the best goalkeeper of the tournament, Asilbek Aliev — the best scorer, and Sadriddin Khasanov — the best football player.

Our people and country see in your image the brightest representatives of the youth of New Uzbekistan, who are always striving forward and capable of achieving great heights and are rightfully proud of you.

I sincerely express my gratitude to you, your parents, and the teachers who raised you, for such a historic victory, which is another practical result of the high attention paid to sports, including the development of football, in our country.

I believe that you will be encouraged by this victory and will participate as the winning team of Asia in the World Cup to be held in Qatar in November this year," the President's congratulatory message reads.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, signed a decree "On awarding the winners and participants of the Asian Cup among youth football players under the age of seventeen."

The football players and coaches were awarded medals by the country's Prime Minister and the Sports Government during a ceremonial welcome in Tashkent.

According to the Presidential Decree, the head coach of the Uzbek youth football team, Islambek Murodbek ugli Ismailov, was awarded the honorary title of "Honored Sports Teacher of the Republic of Uzbekistan," and all the players were awarded the "Creator of the Future" medal.

The head coach of the team, Islam Ismailov, received the Presidential prize — an Equinox car, and the players were given keys to a Cobalt car.

You can watch a detailed report of the welcoming of the Asian champions on the QALAMPIR.UZ YouTube channel.

We will not stray from the topic.

The official FIFA website published an article about six players who shone at the Asian Cup among U-17 players held in Saudi Arabia.

This article focuses on six players from the national teams that qualified for the World Cup and their results. Among these players is the striker of the Uzbek youth national team and the top scorer of the tournament, Asilbek Aliev.

"Asilbek Aliev. Striker, 15 years old. This young talent was one of the main factors in Uzbekistan winning the championship. Aliyev managed to score five goals in the first four matches up to the quarter-finals. Already at the age of 15, he showed high attacking instincts. The player, who is considered the future of Central Asia, became the top scorer of the tournament in Saudi Arabia," the article says.

Two members of the Uzbek youth team, Nurbek Sarsenbayev and Miraziz Abdukarimov, who were injured in the final of the U-17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, may miss the first matches of the World Cup in Qatar in November. This was reported by Uzbek expert Alisher Nikimbayev, who works at the AFC.

Nikimbayev said that the red cards received by the members of the U-17 national team in the final may affect the World Cup. According to the FIFA disciplinary code, a disqualification received after an expulsion is carried over to the next competition. In this case, if the players do not participate in another competition in their age category before the World Cup, the disqualification will affect their participation in the World Cup. The number of games to be missed must be determined by the AFC Disciplinary Committee.

For information, the Uzbek youth national team, along with winning the championship, also qualified for the World Cup. This tournament will be held in Qatar from November 3 to November 27 of this year.