Uzbekistan are just days away from their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance. Ahead of the historic tournament, Eurasia Football sat down with Uzbek football legend and 1994 Asian Games winner Azamat Abduraimov.
Despite stepping away from professional coaching, Abduraimov remains deeply involved in the game. He works with the Tashkent Football Association, advocates for youth development and helps organise grassroots competitions across the city.
Naturally, Uzbekistan’s historic World Cup debut remains close to his heart.
One of the major talking points ahead of the tournament has been Fabio Cannavaro’s decision to name a 30-man preliminary squad, despite only being able to take 26 players to the World Cup.
Abduraimov believes the decision reflects the reality of Cannavaro’s situation.
“I think it shows that Cannavaro has not yet fully decided on his final squad, and that’s completely normal,” he says.
“We have to understand that a World Cup is an extremely difficult task for any coach, especially one who has not had much time to prepare.”
According to Abduraimov, Cannavaro is still learning about some of the players available to him, particularly those based in the Uzbek Super League.
“The first half of the season has produced several players who have performed well. The coach wants to see them up close, in training sessions and in matches.”
Rather than seeing the expanded squad as a problem, Abduraimov views it as healthy competition.
“The national team is a living organism. No player should feel that his place is guaranteed.
“Every match, every training camp and every training session is an opportunity to prove that you deserve to be in the national team.”
He also points out the practical side of naming a larger squad before a major tournament.
“A coach always has to consider the possibility that someone could pick up an injury during a training camp or a friendly match.
“An expanded squad is also a form of insurance.”
Ultimately, Abduraimov believes there is no right or wrong approach.
“Some coaches select their final 26 players immediately so they can prepare without additional pressure. Others prefer to keep competition alive until the very end.
“Every coach has their own way of doing things.”
Uzbekistan’s Neymar?
One player whose place in the squad continues to generate debate is Jaloliddin Masharipov.
Despite ongoing fitness concerns, Abduraimov believes the experienced midfielder should be included in Uzbekistan’s World Cup squad.
“Masharipov is a very important player.
“Cannavaro himself has spoken about his importance in the dressing room. He brings experience, charisma and influence within the group.”
While Abduraimov acknowledges that Masharipov may no longer be capable of starting every match, he still sees a valuable role for the 32-year-old.
“Maybe he isn’t ready to play from the first minute and complete the entire game.
“But he is the kind of player who can come on for 10 or 15 minutes, lift the team and help through his authority and experience.”
For Abduraimov, those qualities can be decisive at a World Cup.
“At this level, there are no small details. Every little thing matters.
“If I were the coach, I would take him to the World Cup.”
The discussion prompted comparisons with Neymar’s inclusion in major tournament squads despite fitness concerns.
“Of course, the scale is different,” Abduraimov says.
“But for Uzbekistan, Masharipov is a very significant figure. He is not just another player in the squad.”
Abduraimov places Eldor Shomurodov in the same category.
“The same can be said about Shomurodov. He is the captain and one of the team’s leaders.
“We saw at the Asian Cup how much the team struggled without its central striker. That’s just one player out of eleven.”
With Uzbekistan preparing for its first-ever World Cup, Abduraimov believes experienced leaders are more important than ever.
The former striker is equally clear on the impact of defender Husniddin Aliqulov’s injury.
“I think it is a huge loss, at the moment, Aliqulov is one of the best central defenders in Asia.
“He is a very powerful player who contributes in both defence and attack. He scores goals with his head and gives the team another weapon from set pieces.”
The Man Uzbekistan Can’t Replace
Abduraimov is equally clear on another subject: no player is more important to Uzbekistan’s World Cup hopes than Abdukodir Khusanov.
However, he is reluctant to compare the Manchester City defender directly with the injured Husniddin Aliqulov.
“It is difficult to compare them. Khusanov has his strengths and Aliqulov has his own.”
The former Uzbekistan youth coach knows Khusanov particularly well.
“I worked with him when he was younger. He is one of my former players.”
According to Abduraimov, Khusanov’s development over the past year has only reinforced his belief that the defender has a special future ahead of him.
“Not long ago, he didn’t have a guaranteed place in Manchester City’s starting lineup. There were even talks about a loan move.
“But Guardiola believed in him. He worked with him individually and helped him improve tactically.”
That patience has paid off.
“Now he is a regular starter.
“I think he has a huge future. If he stays healthy, he can become one of the best defenders in the world.”
Yet Abduraimov is quick to point out that Aliqulov’s absence remains a major blow.
“When it comes to experience and influence within the national team, Aliqulov would also have been extremely important.
Even so, he believes Khusanov occupies a unique position within Uzbek football.
“You cannot replace Khusanov.
“And I’m not only talking about his footballing qualities.”
For Abduraimov, the 21-year-old has become much more than a key player.
“Today, he is the most valuable and recognisable footballer not only in Uzbekistan, but in all of Central Asia.
“He is the face of Uzbek football.”
His importance, Abduraimov argues, extends beyond his performances on the pitch.
“For the rest of the world, Uzbekistan will be associated with Khusanov.
“He shows that a player from Uzbekistan can become a leading figure in the best league in the world.”
On the field, however, it is Khusanov’s rare physical attributes that set him apart.
“Speed is something you cannot simply teach.
“When we tested him in the youth national team at the age of 16, he was already among the best performers.”
Abduraimov believes that natural pace is one of the main reasons Guardiola trusts him in a high defensive line.
“Manchester City can play aggressively because they know Khusanov can recover, cover space and help his teammates.”
At the World Cup, though, Uzbekistan are unlikely to defend as high up the pitch.
Abduraimov expects Fabio Cannavaro to use a back three, with Khusanov and Rustam Ashurmatov forming the core of the defence.
“Against teams like Colombia and Portugal, we have to be realistic.
“Uzbekistan will probably defend deeper and try to make the central areas more compact.”
While that may reduce the value of Khusanov’s pace, Abduraimov believes his influence goes far beyond one attribute.
“He is strong, aggressive and confident.
“In this system, he becomes the central figure in defence.”
For Abduraimov, the spine of the Uzbekistan team is already clear.
“In attack, it is Shomurodov. In midfield, it is Shukurov and Khamrobekov.
“And in defence, it is Khusanov, the team will be built around that core.”
How Far Can Uzbekistan Go?
When it comes to Uzbekistan’s chances at the World Cup, Abduraimov believes pragmatism will be crucial.
“It’s difficult to make predictions now,” he says.
“But if the objective is to get out of the group, we have to look at the situation realistically.”
Uzbekistan face a daunting group featuring Portugal, Colombia and Congo.
Abduraimov believes there is an argument for approaching the matches against Portugal and Colombia cautiously before focusing on what could be the decisive clash against Congo.
“Maybe there is value in playing carefully against Colombia and Portugal, staying compact and avoiding heavy defeats.
“I’m not saying that’s exactly what Uzbekistan should do, but it’s one possible approach.”
For Abduraimov, goal difference could prove just as important as results.
“At a World Cup, it’s not only about winning.
“If you lose 0-2, that’s one thing. If you open up and lose 0-5 or 0-6, that’s completely different.”
The former striker expects Congo to view Uzbekistan in much the same way.
“They will be thinking exactly the same thing.
“They know it will be very difficult against Portugal and Colombia. That’s why the match against Congo could become the key game.”
Yet Abduraimov also believes Uzbekistan should draw confidence from its own history.
He points to the 1994 Asian Games, when a newly independent Uzbekistan stunned the continent by winning gold.
“Back then, hardly anybody knew who we were.
“Some people confused us with Pakistan or Afghanistan. We were seen as an unknown team.
“But we believed in ourselves, played good football and became champions.”
For Abduraimov, that experience offers an important lesson.
“No one achieves anything without belief.
“The most important thing is that our players believe in themselves.”
The anticipation surrounding Uzbekistan’s World Cup debut has already spread far beyond football.
“Today, everyone in Uzbekistan is following the World Cup.
“Supporters, families, children and even people who don’t normally watch football are excited.”
While expectations remain high, Abduraimov believes qualification alone represents a historic achievement.
“Just reaching the World Cup is the fulfilment of a dream.
“Uzbekistan is now among the world’s leading football nations, and that is a source of enormous pride.”
He has also been struck by the support coming from across Central Asia.
“Kazakhs, Tajiks and Kyrgyz are telling us: ‘We will support you. You are our team.'”
“For me, that is very important.”
“The World Cup is uniting Central Asia around Uzbekistan.”
According to Abduraimov, support is likely to extend even further.
During a recent visit to Moscow, he found plenty of Russians planning to follow Uzbekistan’s campaign.
“They told me they would be supporting Uzbekistan because we are the only post-Soviet team at the World Cup.”
The former striker even draws comparisons with Iceland’s remarkable run at Euro 2016.
“In human terms, perhaps there is a similarity.”
Iceland captured the imagination of football fans by competing fearlessly against bigger nations despite their limited resources.
Abduraimov believes Uzbekistan has the potential to become one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
“But for that to happen, we have to exceed expectations.
“We need character, commitment, good football and results.”
He expects Uzbekistan’s meeting with Portugal to attract particular attention.
“Portugal have Cristiano Ronaldo and one of the strongest squads in the tournament.
“If Uzbekistan performs well in a match like that, people will start paying attention.
“Football fans always love an underdog.”