From glory to obscurity: Uzbek footballers who left the spotlight early

Uzbek football has produced many talented players who have made their mark on the big stage. However, some of these promising stars—who quickly gained popularity and even earned call-ups to the Uzbekistan national team—suddenly disappeared from the football scene due to injuries and various other reasons. QALAMPIR.UZ looks back at the stories of several Uzbek players who once shined brightly, only to fade from the spotlight.

Doston Ibrohimov

Born in the Navoi region in 1997, Doston Ibrohimov gained recognition for his performances with Pakhtakor and Bukhara. Between 2017 and 2020, he appeared in 17 matches for the "Lions," scoring one goal. He was also called up to the Uzbekistan national team in 2019 following impressive displays for the U-19 and U-23 national squads. Ibrohimov made his senior national team debut on June 2, 2019, in a friendly match against Turkey. A right winger, he was once considered one of the most promising players in Uzbekistan. Later, he played for Kyzylkum and Gijduvon, but his career took a downturn, and he gradually disappeared from public attention. Currently, Ibrohimov continues his career with Kattakurgan FC.

Andrey Sidorov

Do you remember Andrey Sidorov, the hero of the 2018 "snowy final"? He’s another player who initially made headlines. Sidorov scored the winning goal in the 120th minute against Vietnam in the AFC U-23 Championship final in China, securing the title for Uzbekistan. Following this success, many predicted a bright future for him. However, his career didn’t take off as expected. After the tournament, he briefly played for Kyzylkum. Throughout his career, Sidorov represented clubs such as Pakhtakor, Kyzylkum, Kokand-1912, Bukhara, Khojand, Dynamo, and Aris. He currently plays for the Kyrgyz club OshMu Aldiyer.

Doston Tursunov

Another standout from the 2018 Asian Cup was defender Doston Tursunov. He earned a spot on the senior national team after the tournament, going on to make 7 appearances and score one goal. Tursunov’s club career included stints with Pakhtakor, Neftchi, Kokand-1912, Metallurg, Renofa Yamaguchi (Japan), Pusan (South Korea), and Chongqing Liangjiang (China). At present, he plays for Istiklol Khuzestan in Iran.

Javohir Sohibov

Javohir Sohibov, discovered by Samvel Babayan while playing for Pakhtakor, became known across Uzbekistan for his performances with the "Lions." He also earned 14 caps for the national team, debuting on September 3, 2015, in a match against Yemen. Sohibov has played for Pakhtakor, Metallurg, Sogdiana, Lokomotiv, Turon, Surkhon, and Oloy. Currently, he plays for the Kyrgyz club, Uzgen.

Vladimir Kozak

Vladimir Kozak, who played for Tashkent’s Pakhtakor from 2010 to 2020, is now with Lokomotiv Tashkent. Once a core member of the "Lions," Kozak also earned a spot on the Uzbekistan national team. Primarily playing as a left-wing defender, he also had a stint with Dynamo Samarkand. Recently, he re-signed with Lokomotiv and is set to start the new season with the club.

Sanjar Kadirkulov

Sanjar Kadirkulov rose to prominence through the Bunyodkor Academy, gaining attention with his impressive performances. A regular in various Uzbekistan youth national teams, he made his senior national team debut on October 10, 2019. Kadirkulov has 14 caps and one goal to his name. His club career includes spells at Bunyodkor, Metallurg, Lokomotiv, and Neftchi. As of 2025, the 27-year-old has joined Dynamo Samarkand for the new season.