Uzbekistan midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev says Fabio Cannavaro is trying to take pressure off the national team before the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.
Speaking to Russian outlet Sport-Express, Fayzullaev said the Italian coach, who captained Italy to the 2006 World Cup title, has been sharing his experience with the squad and urging the players to enjoy the moment rather than fear it.
“He is taking the pressure off us. He takes it on himself and tells us that we should first of all enjoy these days, because we have come to our first World Cup. We just have to play, because we have nothing to lose,” Fayzullaev said.
The 22-year-old admitted that the emotions before Uzbekistan’s World Cup debut are unlike anything he has experienced before.
Fayzullaev said the first World Cup he remembers was South Africa 2010, when Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov officiated the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. He was six years old at the time and watched the game with his father.
For him, that moment became part of a childhood dream.
Irmatov is now one of the key figures in Uzbek football. According to Fayzullaev, he told the players that the World Cup brings a completely different level of emotion. The midfielder added that Uzbekistan’s qualification fulfilled the dream of an entire nation.
Uzbekistan will play Colombia, Portugal and DR Congo in Group K. Fayzullaev described it as one of the most difficult groups of the tournament, but said the team are ready to compete.
He believes Uzbekistan’s final friendly against the Netherlands gave the squad additional confidence. The team lost 1–2 after conceding a late penalty, but Fayzullaev said the match showed that Uzbekistan can fight against elite-level players.
“We looked at ourselves against the Netherlands and felt that we can compete with footballers of a very high level — Frenkie de Jong, Virgil van Dijk. Yes, we have more confidence now. We think we are ready to fight and can surprise,” he said.
Fayzullaev also described Uzbekistan’s pre-World Cup training camp as extremely demanding. According to him, some sessions lasted around two and a half hours, with players covering about nine kilometers in a single training session — more than twice as much as during a normal club session in the season.
The midfielder also spoke about Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo. Fayzullaev said he is a Lionel Messi fan, but admitted that playing against Ronaldo would be a dream.
“Maybe Portugal press better without him. But when Cristiano is on the pitch, it gives the team confidence. Ronaldo can decide a match at any moment,” Fayzullaev said.
A separate part of the interview focused on Abdukodir Khusanov, who has become one of the symbols of Uzbekistan’s new football generation after moving to Manchester City.
Fayzullaev said Khusanov’s rise is a major motivation for every footballer in Uzbekistan. In his words, it proves that even players from small cities can reach the highest level if they believe in themselves and work hard enough.
He said he already felt during the U-20 World Cup that Khusanov had the qualities to reach a top-five European league because of his physical power, confidence and aggression on the pitch.
Fayzullaev also spoke briefly about his club career. He said he remains grateful to CSKA Moscow, watches the team when he has time and keeps in touch with several former teammates.
At the same time, he made it clear that returning to CSKA now would not be the right step. Fayzullaev said he wants to move forward in his career and hopes to reach one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Spain is the league that attracts him most, while Barcelona remains his biggest dream.
For now, however, Fayzullaev says his focus is fully on the World Cup.
His main motivation is simple: to make the Uzbek people proud.
Source: Sport-Express, interview by Igor Rabiner.