Metallurg Bekabad head coach Ilyas Kurbonov believes his revived side already have the quality to compete in Uzbekistan’s Super League as they chase promotion.
The Bekabad club host Aral on November 9 in the final round of the Pro League regular season.
Aral have already secured top spot and automatic promotion, while Metallurg enter the final weekend third on 49 points, one behind Shurtan.
Teams finishing between second and fifth will continue their promotion push through the play-offs.
For Kurbonov, the campaign carries particular significance.
The 47-year-old has spent a large part of his playing and coaching career with Metallurg and was in charge when they preserved their Super League status by beating Olimpik in a relegation play-off in 2024.
What followed was far more serious than relegation.
Financial problems prevented Metallurg from continuing in professional football the following season, effectively removing one of Uzbekistan’s established clubs from the national league system.
The club returned at the beginning of 2026, with Kurbonov taking charge again in August after replacing Ilkhom Muminjonov.
Speaking to Eurasia Football, he made clear that the target has not changed despite the interruption.
“Our task remains the same, to reach the Super League.
“The management set that objective at the beginning of the season and nothing has changed.
“We have to return to the top division and, after that, play good football and compete for high positions, that is what we are working towards.”
A club rebuilt, but not from scratch
Despite Metallurg’s year away, Kurbonov does not see the current team as an entirely new project.
Much of the infrastructure required to operate at the highest domestic level remained in Bekabad, while the current squad contains several players with previous Super League experience.
“I would say this is a continuation of the same story after a one-year break.
“All the conditions required for high-level football have remained in Bekabad. We have the infrastructure and everything necessary to play in the Super League.
“Most importantly, we also have players of the required level.”
Kurbonov believes only limited recruitment would be required if Metallurg complete their return.
“Perhaps we would need to bring in one or two good players to strengthen certain positions, but overall the team is already strong enough.
“I do not want to talk in advance about specific positions in the Super League, but I am confident this squad could compete there comfortably.
“The main thing now is to complete the job and return to the top division.”
Metallurg’s final position is not entirely in their own hands.
While Aral have already secured the title, results elsewhere will determine where Kurbonov’s side finish before the play-offs.
“We have to aim for the maximum result.
“Aral are next. Of course, a lot depends on the results of our rivals, but our job is to finish as high as possible.”