Uzbekistan's golden generation eyes Olympic glory, says coach Kapadze

The U-23 Asian Cup, held in the green fields of Qatar, was an exhilarating tournament for Uzbek football fans. Despite facing several personnel challenges before the tournament, the team, under the leadership of head coach Temur Kapadze, achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the Olympics in team sports for the first time in Uzbek history.

Although the "White Wolves" lost to Japan by a narrow margin in the Asian Cup final, their overall performance exceeded expectations. Now, all eyes are on the upcoming Olympics in Paris, where the sports community has high hopes for Kapadze’s team. This squad, often referred to as the golden generation of Uzbek football, is filled with talented players and boasts a strong sense of unity, making fans optimistic about their chances on the Olympic stage.

Ahead of the big tournament, QALAMPIR.UZ spoke with Temur Kapadze to analyze his team's performance in the Asian Cup and discuss their upcoming participation in the Olympics. According to Kapadze, one of the significant challenges before the tournament was the late inclusion of legionnaire players. However, players like Abbosbek Fayzullaev and Abdukodir Khusanov, who joined the squad just before the competition, were crucial in helping Uzbekistan secure an Olympic license.

Kapadze also shared insights on which older players might feature in the upcoming Olympics and the strengths of the teams in their group. It appears that Eldor Shomurodov, the captain of the national team and a player for the Italian club Cagliari, will most likely contribute to the team's success in Paris.

During the interview, Kapadze touched on the future careers of players like Umarali Rahmonaliev and Jasurbek Jaloliddinov. He also reflected on the challenges Uzbek football has faced over the past 33 years on its path to the Olympics and the ongoing struggles within the Super League.

The Olympic team is set to arrive in Paris about a week before the opening of the Games. Uzbekistan will begin their tournament on July 24, facing Spain in their first match.