Odil Ahmedov

Odil Ahmedov (Uzbek Cyrillic: Одил Аҳмедов; born 25 November 1987) is an Uzbek international footballer, who plays for Shanghai SIPG. He usually plays as a central midfielder, but also played as a centre back during the 2011 Asian Cup, because of some injured defenders.

This name uses Eastern Slavic naming customs; the patronymic is Alimzhanovich and the family name is Akhmedov.

Odil Ahmedov
Ahmedov with National team in 2019
Personal information
Full name Odil Alimzhanovich Ahmedov
Date of birth (1987-11-25) 25 November 1987
Place of birth Namangan, Uzbek SSR, USSR
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Shanghai SIPG
Number 25
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2011 Pakhtakor Tashkent 86 (0)
2011–2014 Anzhi Makhachkala 86 (3)
2014–2017 Krasnodar 67 (5)
2017– Shanghai SIPG 56 (8)
National team‡
2007– Uzbekistan[1][2] 104 (20)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 31 December 2019
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2019

Club career

Early years

Born in Namangan Province, Ahmedov began playing football in reserve side of Pakhtakor Tashkent. After two seasons, he joined the first team and won the Uzbek League twice with the club.[3]

Pakhtakor

He made his official debut for the first-team of Pakhtakor on 16 May 2006 aged 18, in an Uzbek League away match against Qizilqum Zarafshon.

It was revealed by Pakhtakor that Odil Ahmedov had received offers from foreign clubs such as the Russian Premier League members Krylia Sovetov Samara and FC Dynamo Moscow. But Pakhtakor officials believed that Odil Ahmedov deserves a better offer referring to the top European clubs such as the ones from England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France.

After his stunning performance at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, a lot of clubs showed interest in him, for example the Russian teams such as Rubin Kazan, Anzhi Makhachkala, and Lokomotiv Moscow, Spanish side Málaga CF, English side Bolton Wanderers, French side AS Monaco, Saudi side Al-Ittihad, Ukrainian sides Dynamo Kiev and Metalist Kharkiv, and the Turkish side Beşiktaş J.K.. The highest prices were from the Saudi side Al-Shabab who have offered 8 million euros, and the Qatari side Al-Gharafa offering 12 million euros.

Since the European transfer window closed on 31 January, Odil Akhmedov could not play in a European club till the summer transfer window opens. He still have had the offer from Al-Shabab for 8 million euros, and Al-Gharafa for 12 million euros, he needed to make his decision before the clubs canceled their offer, or else he might be left at his current club Pakhtakor.

There were rumours that Odil Akhmedov was seen in front of the Jeonbuk's office.

Odil Ahmedov as Anzhi player in 2013

On 4 February 2011 U.F.F. revealed that Odil Akhmedov moved to Russia where he would play his next season, but the name of the club was not revealed. According to unknown source Odil Akhmedov was going to play at Anzhi Makhachkala. Anzhi coach Gadzhi Gadzhiev revealed that the club didn't sign Odil Akhmedov. He went to Belek, Turkey, with his current team Pakhtakor Tashkent, and this is the same place where Anzhi Makhachkala is training. According to Pakhtakor, real offers only came from Al-Shabab and Anzhi, and rest was just rumours being spread. Pakhtakor also announced that Odil Akhmedov had been loaned to Anzhi Makhachkala for one year.[4]

There has been rumours that England's Arsenal has been interested in Odil Akhmedov.[5] Later Akhmedov confirmed the interest by Arsenal F.C..[6]

Anzhi

On 13 February 2011 Ahmedov scored his first goal in his first match for Anzhi in friendly match against Obolon (Ukraine) with 1–0 win.[7] He made his official debut in Russia in 2010–11 Russian Cup Round of 16 match against Zenit Saint Petersburg on 1 March 2011.

On 29 December 2011 Anzhi Makhachkala official website announced Ahmedov was named as the best player of the club over season 2011. The winner was determined with the survey conducted among official website visitors and finally by club managers and coaches. He collected more points than Samuel Eto'o and Yuri Zhirkov.[8]

It was rumoured that he was set to leave Anzhi Makhachkala in summer 2014. England's Arsenal gave a bid of 4 million pounds, followed by Genoa and A.C. Milan.

FC Krasnodar
Ahmedov playing for FC Krasnodar in September 2014

Prior to Anzhi suffering relegation, Ahmedov joined Krasnodar in early June 2014, along with teammates Nikita Burmistrov and Vladimir Bystrov.[9] Weeks later, he was handed the number 10 shirt.

On 28 June 2014, he scored first goal on his debut match in friendly against Qarabağ FK in Austria.[10] The game ended with 1–0 victory of Krasnodar. On 3 July 2014 he scored his second goal on his second appearance for FC Krasnodar to equalize against Scottish football giants Celtic F.C., due to an awful defending error they made. Unfortunately, the game ended 3–1, with FC Krasnodar losing.[11]

Ahmedov scored his first official goal for Krasnodar on 1 August 2014 in 2014–15 UEFA Europa League third qualifying round match against Hungarian outfit Diosgyori VTK. Krasnodar won the match by 5–1, with Ahmedov scoring the team's second goal in the first half.[12]

On 17 August 2014, Odil Ahmedov scored his first official league goal for Krasnodar against FC Rostov in a 2–0 win. He scored the second goal of Krasnodar against Rostov in second half, assisted with a cross by Vladimir Bystrov.[13] On 6 March 2015, UFF announced results of pool conducted among journalists for Best Footballers of the Year award and Ahmedov was named Uzbekistan Footballer of the Year for the third time.[14]

Ahmedov was named Best Player of FC Krasnodar in 2014–15 season on 9 June 2015 after survey conducted on club official website.[15] On 4 March 2016 he was named the Best Football Player 2015 in Uzbekistan for the 4th time as Football Federation announced the results of the survey.[16]

Shanghai SIPG

On 30 December 2016, Ahmedov transferred to Shanghai SIPG of the Chinese Super League.[17] He made his official debut on 7 February 2017 in a 3–0 win over Thai club Sukhothai in the 2017 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off.[18]

International career

He made his international debut with Uzbekistan in a 9–0 win against Chinese Taipei on 13 October 2007.[19]

He is known for his tough tackling style and thunderbolt shots. It is said that he 'releases the Kraken' almost like John Arne Riise and it may be true as he scored the goal and possibly goal of the tournament of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.

On 10 October 2019, Ahmedov played his 100th match for Uzbekistan against Yemen.[20]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 31 December 2019[21][22]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Pakhtakor Tashkent 2006 Uzbek League 20––00
2007 140––00
2008 171000–00
2009 251692–00
2010 2492063–3212
Total 823520155--9940
Anzhi Makhachkala 2011–12 Russian Premier League 43131––462
2012–13 1714092–303
2013–14 2610080–341
Total 86371172--1106
Krasnodar 2014–15 Russian Premier League 2621091–363
2015–16 27320120–413
2016–17 1401090–240
Total 67540301--1016
Shanghai SIPG 2017 Chinese Super League 20361131–395
2018 1912080–291
2019 17410900[lower-alpha 1]0274
Total 56891301--9510
Career total 29151222929--40562
  1. Appearances in Chinese FA Super Cup

International
As of 19 November 2019
Uzbekistan national team
YearAppsGoals
200720
2008133
2009100
201061
2011133
201220
2013102
201472
2015124
201670
201751
201841
2019133
Total10420

Statistics accurate as of match played 5 September 2019[22]

International goals
Scores and results list Uzbekistan's goal tally first.[22]
NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.6 February 2008Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon1–01–02010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.14 June 2008MHSK Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Lebanon1–03–0
3.2–0
4.12 October 2010Al Ahli Stadium, Manama, Bahrain Bahrain3–14–2Friendly
5.7 January 2011Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar Qatar1–02–02011 AFC Asian Cup
6.16 January 2011Thani bin Jassim Stadium, Doha, Qatar China PR1–12–2
7.15 November 2011Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Tajikistan2–03–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification
8.18 June 2013Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Qatar4–15–1
9.19 November 2013Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong Hong Kong2–02–02015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
10.7 September 2014Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan New Zealand1–03–1Friendly
11.2–0
12.14 January 2015Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia China PR1–01–22015 AFC Asian Cup
13.8 September 2015Philippine Sports Stadium, Bocaue, Philippines Philippines1–05–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification
14.8 October 2015Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain Bahrain2–04–0
15.12 November 2015Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan North Korea3–13–1
16.28 March 2017Bunyadkor Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Qatar1–01–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
17.16 October 2018Milliy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Qatar1–02–0Friendly
18.9 January 2019Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Oman1–02–12019 AFC Asian Cup
19.7 June 2019Milliy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan North Korea1–04–0Friendly
20.15 October 2019National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore Singapore1–03–12022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours
Pakhtakor
Anzhi
Shanghai SIPG
Individual

See also

References
  1. "Uzbekistan – Record International Players". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 22 October 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  2. "Odil Ahmedov career stats". Uzfootball (in Uzbek). Archived from the original on 27 May 2012.
  3. Tashhodzhaev, Zohir (29 April 2008). Одил Ахмедов: "Наша цель – участие в чемпионате мира" (in Russian). sportportal.uz. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011.
  4. "Odil Ahmedov signs loan contract with Anzhi". FC Pakhtakor. 9 February 2011. Archived from the original on 14 February 2011.
  5. "Arsenal make surprise move for Uzbekistan captain Odil Ahmedov – Tribal Football". tribalfootball.com. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  6. "Ahmedov claims Arsenal interest". ESPN. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  7. "Ahmedov's first goal for Anzhi". FC Anzhi. 13 February 2011.
  8. СОдил Ахмедов – лучший игрок "Анжи" 2011 года. FC Anzhi (in Russian). 29 December 2011.
  9. Состав "Краснодара" пополнил Одил Ахмедов (in Russian). FC Krasnodar. 11 June 2014.
  10. Ахмедов начал в "Краснодаре" с гола, а "Краснодар" в Австрии – с победы (in Russian). FC Krasnodar. 28 June 2014.
  11. Расточительные "горожане" уступили бережливым шотландцам (in Russian). FC Krasnodar. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  12. "Быки" в Европе играют по-крупному (in Russian). FC Krasnodar. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  13. "Rostov vs. Krasnodar 0–2". soccerway. 17 August 2014.
  14. "Odil Akhmedov named as best football player in Uzbekistan". UzDaily. 6 March 2015.
  15. Одил Ахмедов – лучший игрок сезона-2014/2015 в составе ФК "Краснодар"! (in Russian). FC Krasnodar. 9 June 2015.
  16. "Odil Akhmedov named as best football player in Uzbekistan". UzDaily. 4 March 2016.
  17. "Одил Ахмедовпокинул ФК Краснодар". fckrasnodar.ru (in Russian). FC Krasnodar. 30 December 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  18. "ACL 2017 PLAY-OFF: SHANGHAI SIPG 3-0 SUKHOTHAI". Asian Football Confederation. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  19. "Odil Ahmedov": Player statistics at uzfootball.uz, 2011 Archived 27 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine, (in Uzbek)
  20. "Ahmedov: Uzbekistan must avoid repeating past mistakes". FIFA. 4 October 2019.
  21. "O.Akhmedov". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  22. "Odil Ahmedov". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  23. "Одил Ахмедов вошел в список 33 лучших футболистов российского чемпионата" (in Russian). 25 June 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.