Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Uzbekistan want to make a statement in their opening AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 Group B match against DPR Korea on Saturday to underline their credentials as genuine title contenders.
The White Wolves, ranked 71st in the FIFA World Ranking and fourth in Asia, have a good recent record in the Asian Cup with back-to-back quarter-final appearances in 2004 and 2007 and a fourth place finish four years ago in Qatar.
Their 3-2 loss to Korea Republic in the third-place play-off came after they were mauled 6-0 by Australia in the semi-finals and coach Mirdjalal Kasimov is targeting a win at Stadium Australia to show that result was a mere blip on the radar.
“We hope of course we are a better team than four years ago,” said Kasimov, a former midfielder who starred in Uzbekistan’s 1994 Asian Games triumph, the country’s greatest footballing moment to date.
“But four years ago is history. We have a mix of young and experienced players and I hope the older players can help the young players.”
Group B is arguably the most competitive at the tournament with Uzbekistan, DPR Korea, China and Saudi Arabia all harbouring realistic ambitions to reach the knock-out stages and Kasimov said that a victory over DPR Korea would motivate them ahead of the other matches.
“We came here to show our best game,” said Kasimov. “We want to win the group and and show our best football.
“It will be a tough game against DPR Korea and there will be some pressure on us. If we win the game it will motivate us for the next game.”
The Uzbeks have won three and drawn two of their five meetings with DPR Korea since they became independent in 1991 but Kasimov admitted that it would not be easy to keep that winning run intact.
“It is not easy playing against DPR Korea. They play defensive and on the counter attack,” he said. “I believe in my players to do their best to win this game.”
Two-time AFC Asian Player of the Year Server Djeparov has been a central figure in the Uzbekistan national team since making his debut in 2002 and the creative midfielder will be wanting to make an impression in his fourth appearance on the continent’s biggest stage.
The 32-year-old has been capped more a than 100 times by his country and his experience and talismanic presence in a strong midfield, likely to also include Odil Ahmedov who scored the opening goal of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, will be vital against an unpredictable DPR Korea side.
“Server (Djeparov) is one of the key players in our team,” said Kasimov. “He is very experienced and is a leader on the pitch. I hope he and the other experienced players can help the younger players.”
Uzbekistan have enjoyed a good build up for the Asian Cup with wins over Palestine, Jordan and Iraq and a 0-0 draw with the Iraqis in friendly matches during December, and Kasimov believes his side are ready for the challenge ahead.
“Our preparation is going to plan,” he added. “We have our wishes and our aims and we want to play beautiful football.”
Photo: WSG