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The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Rise of the White Wolves — A tale Uzbekistan and its journey to FIFA World Cup 2026
On June 5, a celebratory mood reverberated across a landlocked country of merely 3.57 crore people. A nation plagued by several vices — a lack of human rights, environmental degradation, and economic vulnerabilities — united to celebrate a historic moment. As the referee blew the full-time whistle at the Al Nahyan stadium in Abu Dhabi, roughly 4000 kilometres away, the people of Uzbekistan witnessed their men's football team qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time. A goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates was enough for the Uzbeks to secure a ticket for the 2026 World Cup, which the USA, Canada, and Mexico will co-host. Never before would the nation have celebrated a goalless draw like it did on that fabled night. Uzbekistan's rise as a football nation has all the ingredients that would make popular filmmaker Asif Kapadia rush to write his next sports documentary or give Amazon Prime Video the perfect topic for their next 'All or Nothing' series. Glass ceiling broken: Uzbekistan fans cheer after their team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. | Photo Credit: REUTERS However, all these celebrations surrounding World Cup qualification would be laced with a fair amount of pain and bitterness, making the Uzbeks reminisce about a tragic incident that looms over their nation, where the beautiful game was first played over a century ago. Rising from the ashes – from Asia to the World In August 1979, the mighty Uzbek team Pakhtakor was back in the Soviet Top League and was en route to play Dinamo Minsk. As the aircraft was over the city of Dniprodzerzhynsk (now Kamianske, modern-day Ukraine), it suffered a mid-air collision, killing all 178 people inside the two aircraft, including 17 players and staff members of Pakhtakor. Such a tragedy could have sounded the death knell for Uzbekistan's future as a footballing nation. However, it rose from the ashes and poured in vast resources to resuscitate the spirit of a devastated country. State-of-the-art youth facilities have been built across the country to improve football at the grassroots level. Since that tragedy, Uzbekistan has reached the U-17 World Cup quarterfinals, made it to the last 16 at the previous U-20 World Cup, and its Olympic team participated in Paris last year. The senior team has also qualified for every Asian Cup since 1996 and progressed to the knockout phase in each appearance since 2004, including a semifinal run in 2011. Surrounded by heavyweight countries such as Russia and China PR, Uzbekistan has forged its destiny that would see it play at the biggest stage football has to offer. Dominance in Asia: The senior team has also qualified for every Asian Cup since 1996 and progressed to the knockout phase in each appearance since 2004, including a semifinal run in 2011. | Photo Credit: AP At the World Cup, it will also carry the honour of being the first Central Asian team to have qualified for the World Cup. Rise of the wolves; fall of the Tigers If one looks at this ascendency from the perspective of Indian football, the Blue Tigers have a lot to take from Uzbekistan's systematic approach and long-term vision that has taken it to new heights. In August 2018, both teams were just within the top 100 of the FIFA rankings, with Uzbekistan at 95th and India ranked 96th. However, from there, both teams took different routes. While India plummeted in the rankings, the Uzbeks climbed the ladder. Currently, it is ranked 57th, while India, currently ranked 127th, never broke into the top 100 after 2018. The two teams clashed for the first time in the 1987 Nehru Gold Cup, which finished in a 2-2 draw. Since then, both teams have faced each other seven times, with their last meeting coming in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, where Uzbekistan registered a thumping 3-0 win against India in the group stages. The Blue Tigers failed to make it to the knockouts, while the Uzbeks reached the quarterfinals, losing to eventual champion Qatar. Gulf in class: In August 2018, Uzbekistan (in white) was ranked 95th and India (in blue), 96th. Nearly seven years later, Uzbeks are 57th while India is 127th and expected to fall lower. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Overall, Uzbekistan has the advantage over India in head-to-head clashes. Out of the seven matches, the Uzbeks have won five, while two matches have ended in a draw. As Uzbekistan gears up for the World Cup next year, India has yet to win a competitive match since November 16, 2023, when it defeated Kuwait 1-0 in the second round of the World Cup qualifiers. RELATED: Late penalty hands India defeat against Hong Kong in AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers If friendlies are taken into account, India has won just one match out of the 16 it has played since the win against Kuwait. Mission 2026 Odil Ahmedov, Ignatiy Nesterov, Maxim Shatskikh, Server Djeparov and many other icons of Uzbekistan football failed to achieve what the current generation has – qualify for a World Cup. Another legendary Uzbek player, Timur Kapadze, didn't have the honour of representing his country on the pitch at the World Cup during his international career, which spanned from 2002-2015 (also when Uzbekistan reached its highest-ever ranking of 45). Cut to 2025, Kapadze, now head coach of the Uzbekistan men's national team, was on the sidelines as he watched his country make history. 'We have achieved an important result after a long and difficult journey. A lot of work was done for this result, I sincerely congratulate our people,' Kapadze told Uzbekistan's online publication Zamin after qualifying. Success in the second innings: Timur Kapadze, who couldn't represent Uzbekistan at the World Cup during his playing days, will do so now as the head coach of the men's national team. | Photo Credit: REUTERS 'This is not only our victory but the victory of our entire people. Our players showed determination in every match, worked with all their might, and we achieved the result,' added Kapadze, who also received a congratulatory telephone call from Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. During his time, Kapadze has played with many talented players on the pitch. Now, he has to operate off it and has a difficult job of nurturing a young and talented generation, which can become a fairytale story on the grand stage next year. ALSO READ: Qatar, Saudi Arabia to host Asian FIFA World Cup 2026 fourth round qualifiers Twenty-one-year-old Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, CSKA Moscow winger Abbosbek Fayzullaev (20), Torpedo Moscow midfielder Khojimat Erkinov (24) and the domestic-based trio of Zafarmurod Abdurakhmatov (20), Diyor Kholmatov (21), and Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev (22) are some of the talented youngsters the White Wolves have at their disposal. Trailblazer: Abdukodir Khusanov (right) became the first player from Uzbekistan and Central Asia to play in the Premier League last season. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Kapade also has the luxury of balancing youth with experience, with players such as Esteghlal winger Jaloliddin Masharipov (31), captain Eldor Shomurodov (29-year-old Roma forward) and the 30-year-old Azizbek Turgunboev who plies his trade for Süper Lig club Sivasspor. Against expectations The World Cup has historical proof of 'underdog excellence' — Morocco in 2025, Costa Rica in 2014 and Cameroon in 1990. Whether Uzbekistan manages to enter that category next year remains to be seen. Abbosbek Fayzullaev dreamed of playing at #FIFAWorldCup 26 during the 2023 #U20WC. Now, Uzbekistan's dream has come true. 🥹🇺🇿 — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 5, 2025 There were major arguments for and against FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to a 48-team affair from 36. While the footballing body justified its decision, saying more teams would get the exposure of playing at the biggest stage, many argued that it would dilute the competitiveness of qualifying for football's premium tournament. Uzbekistan is a major beneficiary of this expansion, which will see eight Asian teams play in the finals next year. History-makers: Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev felicitates the men's national contingent for securing a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. | Photo Credit: REUTERS Its previous coach, Srecko Katanec, disagreed with FIFA's decision – 'If you are good, you will qualify. If you are not good, then you look for chances like this, increasing the teams,' the Slovenian told Reuters last November. The reality, however, is that Uzbekistan has defied the odds to qualify for the World Cup, and a simple rule change should not be a metric to judge its historic achievement. The World Cup is fast approaching. Will the White Wolves be able to hunt efficiently in a pack? Only time will tell.
Arab Times
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli secure quarter-final spots in AFC Champions League
RIYADH, March 12: Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal booked its place in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 4-0 victory over Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor in the second leg of the Round of 16 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Riyadh. Hamad Al-Yami opened the scoring in the 31st minute, followed by a goal from Brazilian Malcom Oliveira in the 41st minute. Salem Al-Dawsari converted a penalty in the 51st minute, while Nasser Al-Dawsari sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal. Despite Pakhtakor's 1-0 first-leg win last Tuesday, Al-Hilal advanced with an aggregate victory. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli also progressed to the quarter-finals after defeating Qatar's Al-Rayyan 2-0 in the second leg at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. Algerian star Riyad Mahrez netted both goals in the 77th and 83rd minutes. Al-Ahli had already secured a strong position with a 3-1 victory in the first leg in Doha, ensuring its advancement with a 5-1 aggregate win.
Arab News
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Al-Hilal roar back to storm into Asian Champions League Elite last eight
RIYADH: Al-Hilal thrashed Pakhtakor 4-0 in the second leg of the second round of the Asian Champions League Elite on Tuesday to progress to the quarterfinal stage. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Riyadh giants lost the first leg in Uzbekistan 1-0 a week earlier and there were plenty of nerves around the Saudi capital, but in the end it was a convincing win for the four-time champions who are now on course for a record fifth continental title. It took Al-Hilal until the half hour, however, to take the lead on the night and get back on level terms in the tie. Hamad Al-Yami scored the opening goal on the half hour, with a flying header at the far post after a perfect cross from Mohamed Kanno. The pressure continued and, then, three minutes before the break, Brazilian attacker Malcom put Al-Hilal ahead in the tie for the first time, running on to a fine through ball from deep to fire home from inside the area. 'We did what we needed to do in the first half,' said Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus. 'We knew that it would not be easy after the first leg but we had a good start and then moved on from there.' Six minutes after the break and Salem Al-Dawsari extended the lead for Al-Hilal, stroking home from the penalty spot. From that point, Al-Hilal were on course for the last eight but the tie was as good as over in injury time Nasser Al-Dawsari made it 4-0 on the night. Al-Ahli eased into the last eight, beating Al-Rayyan of Qatar 5-1 on aggregate. The Jeddah giants won the first leg 3-1 and, thanks to a second half brace from Riyad Mahrez, added two more to make it a convincing victory. It means that Saudi Arabia have three teams in the last eight as Al-Nassr went past Esteghlal of Iran on Monday.
Saudi Gazette
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Hilal crushes Pakhtakor to storm into AFC Champions League quarter-finals
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Al Hilal delivered a dominant display to book their place in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 quarter-finals, thrashing Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor 4-0 at Kingdom Arena on Tuesday. The four-time Asian champions overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit in emphatic fashion, keeping their quest for a record-extending fifth continental title firmly on track. Pakhtakor stuck with the lineup that earned them victory in the first leg, while Al Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus made key adjustments, including pairing Mohamed Kanno with Rúben Neves in midfield and giving Hamad Al-Yami a starting role in defense. Al Hilal signaled their attacking intent from the start, with Kanno, Neves, and Malcom piling the pressure on Pakhtakor goalkeeper Jhonatan. Despite their early dominance, the hosts had to wait until the 31st minute to break the deadlock. Salem Al-Dawsari recovered possession high up the pitch and found Kanno, who delivered a perfect cross for Al-Yami to head home with a diving Saudi Pro League leaders almost doubled their lead four minutes later, but Moteb Al-Harbi's header was brilliantly saved by Jhonatan. However, Al Hilal would not be denied, and their second goal arrived in the 42nd minute following a brilliant sequence of surged past Pakhtakor's midfield before sliding a precise through ball to Malcom, who coolly slotted home into the bottom right corner to send the home crowd into a nearly pulled one back just before halftime when Khojiakbar Alijonov set up Flamarion, but Yassine Bounou produced an acrobatic save to maintain Al Hilal's two-goal Hilal resumed their attacking onslaught in the second half, and in the 51st minute, Al-Dawsari won and converted a penalty, sending Jhonatan the wrong way to make it hosts continued to press, with Kaio César teeing up Al-Dawsari for a shot in the 70th minute, but Jhonatan denied him. Marcos Leonardo pounced on the rebound, only for his close-range finish to be ruled final blow came in stoppage time, as Nasser Al-Dawsari latched onto an Abdullah Al-Hamdan assist to wrap up a resounding 4-0 victory, sealing Al Hilal's place in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals.
Reuters
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Al-Hilal overturn deficit to reach Asian Champions League quarter-finals
March 11 (Reuters) - Al-Hilal thumped Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor 4-0 on Tuesday to overturn a first-leg deficit and qualify for the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League Elite with the Saudi side joined by compatriots Al-Ahli in the next phase of the competition. Riyad Mahrez scored twice late in the game to complete Al-Ahli's victory over Qatar's Al-Rayyan, the former Manchester City winger netting in the 77th and 83rd minutes to earn a 2-0 win in Jeddah and a 5-1 victory overall. Al-Hilal bounced back from a 1-0 loss in the first leg in Tashkent last week to secure a 4-1 aggregate success over Pedro Moreira's Pakhtakor side with a commanding performance at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. The hosts pulled level on aggregate in the 31st minute through Hamad Al Yami's diving header after Salem Al-Dawsari's backheel released Mohamed Kanno behind the defence and his cross to the far post was directed home. Eleven minutes later the Saudis doubled their tally as Kanno charged through Pakhtakor's midfield from deep inside his own half to deliver a defence-splitting pass from which Malcom slid his shot beyond goalkeeper Jhonatan. Yassine Bounou denied Pakhtakor striker Flamarion with a reflex save early in the second half and that was to prove decisive as Al-Dawsari struck from the penalty spot in the 51st minute, scoring after being upended by Khodjiakbar Alijonov. Nasser Al-Dawsari rolled the ball in from close range in the 92nd minute to complete the rout. Victory takes Al-Hilal into Monday's draw for the final stages of the competition, which will be played in a centralised format in Jeddah from April 25 until May 3. "We just wanted to win so bad, for the supporters, for everybody, for us," said Al-Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly. "We knew that the first game was difficult in difficult conditions but today we showed our talent, our team on the pitch. We wanted to win so bad and we showed it." Al-Ahli went into their second leg against Al-Rayyan with a two-goal cushion and, despite dominating throughout the first half, it was not until 13 minutes from time that Matthias Jaissle's side added to their lead. Mahrez showed his balance and poise to control Galeno's lofted ball over the Al-Rayyan defence before turning and lifting his shot past goalkeeper Paulo Victor. The Algerian doubled his side's lead six minutes later with an emphatic finish, stroking home following a lay-off in the penalty area by Gabri Veiga. The results mean all three Saudi Arabian clubs involved in the competition have qualified for the quarter-finals after Al-Nassr booked their place on Monday alongside Qatar's Al-Sadd. Japan's Yokohama F Marinos and Buriram United from Thailand have also qualified following respective wins over Shanghai Port and Johor Darul Ta'zim on Tuesday. Kawasaki Frontale take on Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday when Vissel Kobe play Gwangju FC to determine the remaining qualifiers for the next round.
