Uzbekistan national football team

The Uzbekistan national football team (Uzbek: Oʻzbekiston milliy futbol terma jamoasi) represents Uzbekistan in international football and is controlled by the Uzbekistan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uzbekistan.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Uzbekistan women's national football team.

Uzbekistan
Nickname(s)White Wolves
Turanians
Asian Italy
Huma birds
AssociationUzbekistan Football Association (UFA)
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationCAFA (Central Asia)
Head coachVadim Abramov
CaptainOdil Ahmedov
Most capsServer Djeparov (128)
Top scorerMaksim Shatskikh (34)
Home stadiumMilliy Stadium
Pakhtakor Stadium
FIFA codeUZB
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 85 (11 June 2020)[1]
Highest45 (November 2006–January 2007)
Lowest119 (November 1996)
Elo ranking
Current 64 9 (2 April 2020)[2]
Highest43 (November 2016)
Lowest95 (February 2001)
First international
Tajikistan 2–2 Uzbekistan
(Dushanbe, Tajikistan; 17 June 1992)
Biggest win
Uzbekistan 15–0 Mongolia 
(Chiang Mai, Thailand; 5 December 1998)
Biggest defeat
 Japan 8–1 Uzbekistan
(Sidon, Lebanon; 17 October 2000)
Asian Cup
Appearances7 (first in 1996)
Best resultFourth place (2011)

Uzbekistan is the most successful national team from Central Asia. Although they have never qualified to the World Cup, the team has qualified to every AFC Asian Cup since post-independence formation. During the 2011 Asian Cup, Uzbekistan reached the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time. Uzbekistan has also competed at other competitions such as the Asian Games, where they won the gold medal in the football tournament in 1994 in Japan, and finishing as the runners-up at the Afro-Asian Cup of Nations in 1995.

History

The year of birth of football in Uzbekistan is 1912 (read more in this article), since it was then that football teams were created in Kokand, a little later in Ferghana, Andijan, Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Urganch, between which began to be held long-distance matches. The first championship of Ferghana valley was held in 1914, the Championship of the Uzbekistan SSR began to be played since 1926, and the drawing of the Uzbekistan SSR Cup began to be carried out since 1939. From 1924 to 1991 Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union (USSR) as the Uzbekistan Soviet Socialist Republic (UzSSR).

In 1928, the national team of Uzbekistan was created for the first time, which took part in the Spartakiade, which included representatives of some European countries. At this tournament, the national team of Uzbekistan Soviet Socialist Republic held its first international match against team of jobs Switzerland and won with a score of 8:4. Until mid-1991, Uzbekistan was part of the USSR and had its own national team as well as the rest of the Union republics, which mostly played matches within teams and teams of the USSR, in particular in football tournaments of the Spartakiad of Peoples of the USSR. The national team of the Uzbekistan SSR participated in all draws of the football tournament of the Spartakiad of Peoples of the USSR, and in the 1986 tournament reached the final, lost to the Ukrainian SSR (modern Ukraine) team with a score of 0–1, thereby winning the silver medal of the tournament. Throughout the history of Soviet Union, Uzbekistan SSR was one of five main center of football development in the country, alongside Russia SFSR, Ukraine SSR, Belarus SSR and Georgia SSR.

The most powerful football clubs, as well as semi-professional and professional clubs of the Uzbekistan SSR participated in the USSR Football League (Higher League, First League, Second League and Second League B) and USSR Cup. Nonprofessional clubs of the Uzbekistan SSR participated in the Uzbekistan SSR Championship and the Uzbekistan SSR Cup.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and Uzbekistan gained independence, the national team of Uzbekistan of the new convocation was organized. The national team held its first matches in 1992. The first game of the national team of Uzbekistan was a match against Tajikistan, in the framework of the Central Asian Cup 1992 (the tournament was held once) initiated by FIFA. These matches are officially registered by FIFA on the basis of the fact that the national team of Uzbekistan has been allowed since 1992 to participate in tournaments held under the auspices of FIFA. At the drawing of this tournament in the format of the league, the national team of Uzbekistan was the second after the national team of Kazakhstan. In the first year of existence, the national team of Uzbekistan held matches only with the teams of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. In 1993, the team has not played a single match.

In 1992, Uzbekistan was also a member of the CIS national football team, which existed for one year and replaced the USSR national football team and instead participated in the Euro 1992.

Most of the former Soviet republics became members of UEFA (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan), and Uzbekistan also wanted to become a member of UEFA. But like the rest of the republics of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan), chose AFC. In 2002, Kazakhstan became a member of UEFA for better development of its football, but Uzbekistan chose to remain in the AFC. Anyway, there are many supporters of Uzbekistan's membership in UEFA. Since they believe that Uzbekistan shows European football, and Soviet Uzbekistan, which was part of the USSR, has long been a member of UEFA.

In 1994, the Uzbekistan Football Federation was officially adopted by the AFC and FIFA. In the same year Uzbekistan won in the international tournament the Cup of Independence of Uzbekistan, and at the end of the year the national team won in the ending the national team of China with the score 4:2, became the winner of football tournament of the Asian Games of 1994 which took place in the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

1994 Asian Games
1994 Asian Games Final starting lineup on 16 October 1994, in Hiroshima, (Japan).

The 1994 Asian Games tournament was considered as the shocking successful birth of Uzbekistan, and gives prelude for the rise of Uzbekistan as a serious Asian contender. The tournament would go on remembered as "Miracle of 1994".

Although the tournament was mostly for amateur players at the time (the under-23 competed only since 2002), Uzbekistan however was regarded very low. In addition, the Uzbek perpetration was rigorous, with only 17 players and a budget below 14.000$ for the new born Football Federation. Conflict also emerged within as Rustam Akramov was appointed as the first coach of Uzbekistan while the more popular Berador Abduraimov became assistant, which Abduraimov resented greatly. Not just that, many of its players, mostly Russian-ethnic based players, chose to represent Russia or Ukraine, or some to Nigeria, following the fall of USSR. The two major clubs, Pakhtakor and Neftchi, formed majority of their players for Uzbek team, traveling to Japan with little expectation.

Nonetheless, Uzbekistan would mark the tournament with an outstanding performance. Grouped with powerhouse Saudi Arabia, two Southeast Asian sides Thailand and Malaysia, alongside Hong Kong, the Uzbeks shocked Hiroshima with a 4–1 victory over the Saudis. It was followed by 5–0 victory over Malaysia, hard-fought 1–0 win over Hong Kong before sealing its first place in a 5–4 thriller over Thailand. In quarter-finals, Uzbekistan taunted neighbor Turkmenistan 3–0 to advance to semi-finals where they faced South Korea. The Koreans sent up nine players that already participated in the 1994 FIFA World Cup and was expected to stemroll Uzbekistan easily, having beaten hosts Japan thanked for a controversial late penalty. Yet, Japanese fans held this grief, cheered Uzbekistan against South Korea and with Japanese support, Uzbekistan shocked South Korea with a 1–0 victory to advance to the final, its first ever final since becoming independence from the Soviet Union.

In their final game against China, Uzbekistan created its miracle, beating the rising Chinese 4–2 to capture its first, and only, Asian honor two years after its existence. This miraculous conquest gave Uzbekistan a new freshing image, and would boost Uzbekistan's position as a serious contender for future Asian competitions.[3]

1996 AFC Asian Cup

Uzbekistan overcame its rival and neighbor Tajikistan in an insane comeback. Having been beaten 0–4 away in Dushanbe, Uzbekistan looked like would miss its debut. Yet, Uzbekistan overturned the game at home, destroying Tajikistan 5–0 to win 5–4 on aggregate, thus gave Uzbekistan its first ever debut in the tournament.

In 1996 AFC Asian Cup, Uzbekistan was grouped with Japan, China and Syria. Unlike the Asian Games, the Asian Cup was regarded as tougher because it was for main team squad. Under these conditions, Uzbekistan, which only appeared in the 1994 Asian Games, was regarded very low.

Yet, in their opening game against China, Uzbekistan stunned all predictions. Despite rampant Chinese pressure, Uzbekistan held their nerves and overcame China with two shock late goals to give them a 2–0 win and its first ever points in the tournament. This shock victory of Uzbekistan, however, raised alarms for other opponents, Japan and Syria didn't tolerate Uzbekistan, and destroyed the Uzbeks in the two decisive matches. Because of it, Uzbekistan stood bottom in their group and failed to make it through the first round.

1998 FIFA World Cup qualification

Uzbekistan put a decent performance in the country's first-ever attempt to qualify for World Cup, at the 1998 World Cup qualifiers. Grouped with Yemen, Cambodia and Indonesia in the first stage, Uzbekistan proved to be too strong for the rest, with the team only failed to win once, an away draw to the Indonesians. Shortly after, the Uzbeks gallantly marched into the final stage, however, things would prove to be more difficult, with Uzbekistan did not have luck in facing with more powerful South Korea, Japan and the UAE. The only win for Uzbekistan came after the match against neighbor Kazakhstan. Little to know for many Uzbek supporters, this would begin to make the country as the choker of every major World Cup qualifications, with the team often fell short in their final quest.

2000 AFC Asian Cup

The 2000 AFC Asian Cup for Uzbekistan was a whitewashed moment, in a terrible way as it became Uzbekistan's worst ever performance in many major competition. Grouped again with Japan, Saudi Arabia and the new opponent Qatar, Uzbekistan was dumped in the bottom once more, with two devastating losses to Saudi Arabia and Japan, alongside its 1–1 draw to Qatar.

2004 AFC Asian Cup

Uzbekistan failed to make further impact on the continental stage until they reached the last eight of the 2004 Asian Cup, topping their group after winning all matches, where they were beaten by Bahrain after a penalty shoot-out.

2006 FIFA World Cup qualification

That performance was followed by an victory over Iraq in the second qualifying round for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, with goals from Maksim Shatskikh and Alexander Geynrikh sending them through to the last eight.

They were knocked out in the final stage of the Asian qualification to the 2006 World Cup after losing on the away goals rule to Bahrain. The result was subject to controversy as actually three games were played; the first, a 1–0 win for Uzbekistan, was wiped out after FIFA declared the result void after a mistake by Toshimitsu Yoshida, a Japanese referee.[4] The replay ended 1–1, and after the return finished 0–0, Uzbekistan were eliminated.

2007 AFC Asian Cup

In the 2007 Asian Cup, Uzbekistan was able to get past the group stage by beating Malaysia 5–0 and China PR 3–0. However, Uzbekistan was knocked out of the tournament in the quarter-finals by losing to Saudi Arabia 2–1.

2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
Supporters of the national team during an qualification match for the 2010 World Cup against Japan, at Pakhtakor Stadium, in Tashkent

After having three foreign coaches (German Hans-Jürgen Gede, Englishman Bob Houghton and Russian Valeri Nepomniachi) in three years, Uzbekistan turned to former Uzbekistan Olympic team coach Rauf Inileev. During qualification for the 2010 World Cup, Uzbekistan advanced to the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers after winning their first four matches, but finished last in Group A of the final round behind favorites Australia, Japan, Bahrain and Qatar, with four points from eight matches.

2011 AFC Asian Cup
Uzbekistan at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.

Four years later, in the 2011 Asian Cup, Uzbekistan ended in fourth place, their best result in the tournament so far. After getting past the group stage and quarter-finals, the Uzbek team lost what it might have been their first Asian Cup final when Australia thrashed the team 0–6 in their semi-final game. Some days later, they were defeated again by South Korea in the third place playoff.[5]

2014 FIFA World Cup qualification

In qualification for the 2014 World Cup, Uzbekistan advanced to the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers after winning their group in the third round over perennial favorites Japan. Uzbekistan finished with 16 points (five wins and one draw), which was more than any other team in the third round, including an impressive 1–0 away win against Japan.

In the fourth round of the qualifiers, Uzbekistan finished third in Group A behind Iran and South Korea. Uzbekistan had the same number of points as South Korea (14 points), who had a better goal difference by one goal.

The two teams who finished third in the fourth round groups (Jordan and Uzbekistan) played each other in the fifth round to determine the AFC participant in the intercontinental play-off. The games took place on 6 and 10 September 2013. With the two teams still evenly matched at full-time in the second leg, Jordan eventually progressed to the intercontinental play-off after winning 9–8 on penalties.

2015 AFC Asian Cup

In the 2015 Asian Cup, Uzbekistan advanced to the quarter-finals after finishing as runners-up in the tough Group B, which was won by China, while Saudi Arabia and North Korea were eliminated. However, the team was knocked out of the tournament in the quarter-finals after losing 2–0 in extra time to South Korea.

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Uzbekistan continued their quest to head to the World Cup during 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification in Russia, but their campaign had been shattered with a humiliating 2–4 defeat to North Korea. However, the Uzbeks soon bounced back and won the last remaining matches to top the group and qualified to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup as well as the last round. Once again, Uzbekistan in the last round, missed an opportunity when they finished fourth, behind Iran, South Korea and Syria, when Uzbekistan could only manage a 0–0 draw to the South Koreans last match.[6]

2019 AFC Asian Cup
Uzbekistan at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

Uzbekistan started their 2019 Asian Cup campaign with a 2–1 victory over Oman and continued with a 4–0 win over neighbor Turkmenistan, which guaranteed Uzbekistan to progress from the group stage for the fifth consecutive time, despite ending with a 1–2 defeat to Japan in the last match. However, they had to face Australia, then-champions of Asia. Despite playing well, Uzbekistan could not break the deadlock as it ended 0–0 after 120 minutes. In the penalty shootout, Australia prevailed with a 4–2 win, thus Uzbekistan's dream was crushed in the round of sixteen.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup record
FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA
1930 to 1990 Part of the  Soviet Union Part of the  Soviet Union
1994 Did not enter Did not enter
1998 Did not qualify 14 6 4 4 33 21
2002 14 7 3 4 33 19
2006 14 6 5 3 24 15
2010 16 8 1 7 33 26
2014 18 11 4 3 28 9
2018 18 11 1 6 26 14
2022 To be determined Ongoing (2nd round – Group D)
2026 To be determined
Total - 0/7 - - - - - - 94 49 18 27 177 124

AFC Asian Cup record
Main article: Uzbekistan at the AFC Asian Cup
AFC Asian Cup record AFC Asian Cup qualification record
Hosts / Year Result Position Pld W D* L GS GA Pld W D L GS GA
1956 to 1992Part of the  Soviet Union Part of the  Soviet Union
1996Group stage10th310236 210154
2000Group stage12th3012214 4400162
2004Quarter-finals6th431052 6411136
2007Quarter-finals7th4202104 6321144
2011Fourth place4th63121013 430173
2015Quarter-finals8th420255 6321104
2019Round of 1610th421173 8701207
2023To be determined Ongoing (2nd round – Group D)
Total7/74th28124114247 3625568530

Asian Games record
Football at the Asian Games has been an under-23 tournament since 2002.
See also: Uzbekistan national under-23 football team
Asian Games record
Year Result GP W D* L GS GA
1951 to 1990Part of the USSR------
1994Champions7700237
1998Quarter-finals6321258
2002–present See Uzbekistan national under-23 football team
Total2/131310214815

FIFA ranking history

Uzbekistan all-time record against other nations
Uzbekistan national football team opponents. 55 teams.
Main article: Uzbekistan national football team results
As of 23 February 2020
Nations P W D L GF GA GD Winning % Confederation Best win Worst loss
 Albania 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 000.00 UEFA X0–1
 Armenia 2 0 0 2 1 5 −4 000.00 UEFA X1–3
 Australia 4 0 1 3 0 9 −9 000.00 AFC X0–6
 Azerbaijan 9 2 3 4 10 11 −1 022.22 UEFA 5–11–3
 Bahrain 11 4 5 2 15 8 +7 036.36 AFC 4–00–1
 Bangladesh 3 3 0 0 15 0 +15 100.00 AFC 6–0X
 Belarus 3 0 1 2 3 5 −2 000.00 UEFA X1–2
 Bosnia and Herzegovina 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1 050.00 UEFA 2–1X
 Burkina Faso 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100.00 CAF 1–0X
 Cambodia 2 2 0 0 10 1 +9 100.00 AFC 6–0X
 Canada 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 000.00 CONCACAF X1–2
 China PR 13 7 1 5 19 14 +5 053.85 AFC 3–01–3
 Chinese Taipei 7 7 0 0 30 1 +29 100.00 AFC 9–0X
 Estonia 2 0 2 0 3 3 +0 000.00 UEFA XX
 Georgia 1 0 1 0 2 2 +0 000.00 UEFA XX
 Hong Kong 7 4 3 0 10 3 +7 057.14 AFC 4–1X
 India 5 4 1 0 11 3 +8 080.00 AFC 4–0X
 Indonesia 2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 050.00 AFC 3–0X
 Iran 11 1 1 9 2 14 −12 009.09 AFC 1–00–4
 Iraq 9 5 3 1 9 5 +4 055.56 AFC 2–00–2
 Israel 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 000.00 UEFA X0–2
 Japan 11 1 3 7 10 30 −20 009.09 AFC 1–01–8
 Jordan 12 6 5 1 19 12 +7 050.00 AFC 4–10–2
 Kazakhstan 6 2 3 1 8 4 +4 033.33 AFC/UEFA 4–00–1
 Kuwait 6 3 1 2 12 9 +3 050.00 AFC 3–01–2
 Kyrgyzstan 7 7 0 0 28 3 +25 100.00 AFC 6–0X
 Latvia 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 100.00 UEFA 3–0X
 Lebanon 6 4 2 0 8 1 +7 066.67 AFC 3–0X
 Malaysia 5 5 0 0 19 2 +17 100.00 AFC 5–0X
 Mongolia 2 2 0 0 23 1 +22 100.00 AFC 15–0X
 Montenegro 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 000.00 UEFA X0–1
 Morocco 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 000.00 CAF X0–2
 New Zealand 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 100.00 OFC 3–1X
 Nigeria 2 0 0 2 2 4 −2 000.00 CAF X2–3
 North Korea 10 7 2 1 20 7 +13 070.00 AFC 4–02–4
 Oman 6 2 0 4 9 9 +0 033.33 AFC 5–02–4
 Palestine 5 4 0 1 9 2 +7 080.00 AFC 3–00–2
 Philippines 2 2 0 0 6 1 +5 100.00 AFC 5–1X
 Qatar 14 9 2 3 24 13 +11 064.29 AFC 5–10–3
 Saudi Arabia 11 4 1 6 15 24 −9 036.36 AFC 4–10–5
 Senegal 1 0 1 0 1 1 +0 000.00 CAF XX
 Singapore 3 3 0 0 13 4 +9 100.00 AFC 7–3X
 Slovakia 1 0 0 1 1 4 −3 000.00 UEFA X1–4
 South Korea 16 1 4 11 14 34 −20 006.25 AFC 1–01–5
 Sri Lanka 1 1 0 0 6 0 +6 100.00 AFC 6–0X
 Syria 5 2 1 2 5 4 +1 040.00 AFC 2–01–2
 Tajikistan 8 4 3 1 16 8 +8 050.00 AFC 5–00–4
 Thailand 8 3 0 5 15 18 −3 037.50 AFC 3–01–4
 Turkey 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 000.00 UEFA X0–2
 Turkmenistan 10 8 1 1 24 5 +19 080.00 AFC 4–00–1
 Ukraine 2 0 0 2 1 4 −3 000.00 UEFA X0–2
 United Arab Emirates 16 3 4 9 17 24 −7 018.75 AFC 4–01–4
 Uruguay 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6 000.00 CONMEBOL X0–3
 Vietnam 2 2 0 0 6 1 +5 100.00 AFC 3–0X
 Yemen 5 5 0 0 15 2 +13 100.00 AFC 5–0X
Total 288 136 58 94 496 328 +168 047.22

Recent results and forthcoming fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2019
5 September 2019 2022 WCQ - AFC 2nd RoundPalestine 2–0 UzbekistanAl-Ram, Palestine
17:00 UTC+3
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)		 Stadium: Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium
Attendance: 6,740
Referee: Fu Ming (China)
10 September 2019 FriendlyUzbekistan 0–0 IraqAmman, Jordan
21:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: King Abdullah II Stadium
Attendance: 1,800
Referee: Ahmad Faysal (Jordan)
10 October 2019 2022 WCQ - AFC 2nd RoundUzbekistan 5–0 YemenTashkent, Uzbekistan
17:00 UTC+5
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)		 Stadium: Pakhtakor Stadium
Attendance: 28,571
Referee: Hanna Hattab (Syria)
15 October 2019 2022 WCQ - AFC 2nd RoundSingapore 1–3 UzbekistanKallang, Singapore
19:45 UTC+8
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 12,547
Referee: Shen Yinhao (China)
9 November 2019 FriendlyUzbekistan 3–1 KyrgyzstanTashkent, Uzbekistan
17:00 UTC+5
Report
Stadium: Pakhtakor Stadium
Attendance: 11,000
Referee: Bastian Dankert (Germany)
14 November 2019 2022 WCQ - AFC 2nd RoundUzbekistan 2–3 Saudi ArabiaTashkent, Uzbekistan
17:00 UTC+5
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Stadium: Pakhtakor Stadium
Attendance: 31,524
Referee: Ryuji Sato (Japan)
19 November 2019 2022 WCQ - AFC 2nd RoundUzbekistan 2–0 PalestineTashkent, Uzbekistan
17:00 UTC+5
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)		 Stadium: Pakhtakor Stadium
Attendance: 19,143
Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)

2020
23 February 2020 FriendlyUzbekistan 0–1 BelarusAl Hamriyah, United Arab Emirates
18:00 Report
Stadium: Al Hamriya Sports Club Stadium
Referee: Omar Muhammad Alali (United Arab Emirates)
26 March 2020 FriendlyUzbekistan Canceled ArmeniaUzbekistan
Report
13 October 2020 2022 WCQ - AFC 2nd RoundYemen v UzbekistanBahrain
12 November 2020 2022 WCQ - AFC 2nd RoundUzbekistan v SingaporeUzbekistan
17 November 2020 2022 WCQ - AFC 2nd RoundSaudi Arabia v UzbekistanSaudi Arabia

Players

Current squad

The 21-man squad was on 23 February 2020 friendly match against Belarus.[7]
Caps and goals correct as of 23 February 2020, after the match against Belarus.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Eldorbek Suyunov (1991-04-12) 12 April 1991 24 0 Pakhtakor Tashkent
12 1GK Abdumavlon Abdujalilov (1994-12-22) 22 December 1994 0 0 Bunyodkor
16 1GK Abduvohid Nematov (2001-03-20) 20 March 2001 0 0 Nasaf
15 2DF Egor Krimets (1992-01-27) 27 January 1992 36 2 Pakhtakor Tashkent
23 2DF Oleg Zoteev (1989-07-05) 5 July 1989 24 1 Jeonnam Dragons
2 2DF Murod Kholmukhamedov (1990-09-23) 23 September 1990 5 0 Kokand 1912
6 2DF Islom Kobilov (1997-06-01) 1 June 1997 2 0 Bunyodkor
3 2DF Umar Eshmurodov (1992-11-30) 30 November 1992 1 0 Pakhtakor
4 2DF Husniddin Aliqulov (1999-04-04) 4 April 1999 0 0 Nasaf
5 2DF Sardor Qulmatov (1994-11-22) 22 November 1994 0 0 Sogdiana
9 3MF Akbar Ismatullaev (1991-01-10) 10 January 1991 6 0 Buriram United
19 3MF Azizbek Turgunboev (1994-10-01) 1 October 1994 8 0 Navbahor Namangan
13 3MF Sanjar Kodirkulov (1997-05-27) 27 May 1997 6 1 Bunyodkor
18 3MF Abror Ismoilov (1998-01-08) 8 January 1998 2 0 Pakhtakor Tashkent
14 3MF Sharof Mukhiddinov (1997-04-14) 14 April 1997 2 0 Nasaf
22 3MF Oybek Bozorov (1997-08-07) 7 August 1997 1 0 Nasaf
8 3MF Jasurbek Jaloliddinov (2002-05-15) 15 May 2002 1 0 Bunyodkor
11 4FW Igor Sergeev (1993-04-30) 30 April 1993 51 13 Pakhtakor Tashkent
10 4FW Bobur Abdikholikov (1997-04-23) 23 April 1997 2 0 Nasaf
21 4FW Khumoyun Murtozoyev (1992-11-08) 8 November 1992 1 0 Bunyodkor
7 4FW Shokhruz Norkhonov (1993-04-13) 13 April 1993 1 0 Sogdiana

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called for the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Sanjar Kuvvatov (1990-01-08) 8 January 1990 5 0 Pakhtakor Tashkent v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
GK Botirali Ergashev (1995-06-25) 25 June 1995 1 0 Dinamo Samarqand v.  Iraq, 9 September 2019
DF Islom Tukhtakhodjaev (1989-10-30) 30 October 1989 69 2 Shenyang Urban v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
DF Farrukh Sayfiev (1991-01-17) 17 January 1991 25 0 Pakhtakor Tashkent v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
DF Rustam Ashurmatov (1996-07-07) 7 July 1996 10 0 Gwangju v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
DF Khojiakbar Alijonov (1997-04-19) 19 April 1997 6 0 Pakhtakor Tashkent v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
DF Dilshodbek Axmadaliev (1994-11-02) 2 November 1994 0 0 Bunyodkor v.  Yemen, 10 October 2019 PRE
DF Davron Khashimov (1992-11-24) 24 November 1992 27 0 Lokomotiv Tashkent v.  Iraq, 9 September 2019
DF Dostonbek Tursunov (1995-06-13) 13 June 1995 5 1 Busan IPark v.  Iraq, 9 September 2019
DF Anzur Ismailov (1985-04-21) 21 April 1985 104 3 Pakhtakor Tashkent v.  Palestine, 5 September 2019 RET
MF Odil Ahmedov (1987-11-25) 25 November 1987 105 20 Shanghai SIPG v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
MF Otabek Shukurov (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 30 3 Sharjah v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
MF Jaloliddin Masharipov (1993-09-01) 1 September 1993 28 2 Pakhtakor Tashkent v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
MF Jamshid Iskanderov (1993-10-23) 23 October 1993 23 3 Seongnam v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
MF Ikromjon Alibaev (1994-01-09) 9 January 1994 23 0 Seoul v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
MF Dostonbek Khamdamov (1996-07-24) 24 July 1996 20 1 Pakhtakor Tashkent v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
MF Lutfulla Turaev (1988-03-30) 30 March 1988 20 0 Bunyodkor v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
MF Khursid Giyosov (1995-04-13) 13 April 1995 5 0 Anyang v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
MF Sardor Sabirkhodjaev (1994-09-06) 6 September 1994 5 0 Pakhtakor Tashkent v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
MF Odiljon Hamrobekov (1996-02-13) 13 February 1996 16 0 Pakhtakor Tashkent v.  Saudi Arabia, 14 November 2019
MF Azizjon Ganiev (1998-02-22) 22 February 1998 4 0 Shabab Al-Ahli v.  Kyrgyzstan, 9 November 2019 U23
MF Sardor Mirzaev (1991-03-21) 21 March 1991 10 1 Muangthong United v.  Kyrgyzstan, 9 November 2019 PRE
MF Sanjar Shaakhmedov (1990-09-23) 23 September 1990 4 0 Terengganu v.  Kyrgyzstan, 9 November 2019 PRE
MF Muzaffar Muzaffarov (1995-04-12) 12 April 1995 0 0 Metallurg Bekabad v.  Kyrgyzstan, 9 November 2019 PRE
MF Oston Urunov (2000-09-19) 19 September 2000 4 0 Ufa v.  Yemen, 10 October 2019 U23
MF Jasurbek Yakhshiboev (1997-06-24) 24 June 1997 2 0 Energetik Minsk v.  Yemen, 10 October 2019 U23
MF Kuvondik Ruziev (1994-10-06) 6 October 1994 5 0 Kokand 1912 v.  Iraq, 9 September 2019
MF Doston Ibragimov (1997-01-23) 23 January 1997 4 0 Qizilqum Zarafshon v.  Iraq, 9 September 2019 U23
FW Eldor Shomurodov (1995-06-29) 29 June 1995 42 19 Rostov v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019
FW Temurkhuja Abdukholiqov (1991-09-25) 25 September 1991 13 2 Khor Fakkan v.  Palestine, 19 November 2019

U23 Included in the U-23 National Team.
PRE Preliminary squad standby.
SUS Player suspended.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
RET Retired from the national team.
WD Player withdrew from the squad for non-injury related reasons.

Current coaching staff

In September 2019.

Coach in 2019– Vadim Abramov
Position Name
Head coach Vadim Abramov
Assistant coach Timur Kapadze
Coach Azizbek Haydarov
fitness coach Mirko Jeličić
Goalkeeper coach Denis Ivankov

Coaches
Coach in 2015—2017: Samvel Babayan
Coach in 2018–2019 Héctor Cúper

As of 9 November 2019

Name Nat Period Matches Wins Draws Losses Win%
Rustam Akramov June 1992 — October 1994 18 13 3 2 72%
Alexander Ivankov July 1995 — November 1995 4 0 1 3 0%
Bahadir Ibrahimov 1996 8 2 0 6 25%
Rustam Mirsadiqov May 1997 — October 1997 12 5 3 4 42%
Ubirajara Veiga da Silva October 1997 — December 1998 11 5 4 2 45%
Mahmud Rahimov July 1999 — November 1999 7 6 0 1 86%
Viktor Borisov February 2000 1 1 0 0 100%
Pavel Sadyrin April 2000 — May 2000 1 0 0 1 0%
Yuriy Sarkisyan July 2000 — October 2000 6 1 1 4 17%
Vladimir Salkov December 2000 — October 2001 21 12 3 6 57%
Leonid Ostroushko October 2001 1 1 0 0 100%
Ravshan Haydarov January 2002 — November 2004
June—July 2005		 25 13 6 6 52%
Hans-Jürgen Gede February 2005 — April 2005 3 0 1 2 0%
Bobby Houghton July 2005 — December 2005 4 2 2 0 50%
Valery Nepomnyashchy January 2006 — December 2006 6 3 2 1 50%
Rauf Inileev January 2007 — September 2008 27 13 4 10 46%
Mirjalal Qasimov September 2008 — April 2010 15 4 3 8 27%
Vadim Abramov April 2010 — June 2012 28 11 5 12 39%
Mirjalal Qasimov June 2012– June 2015 40 19 9 12 48%
Samvel Babayan June 2015 — September 2017 24 16 1 7 66%
Ruziqul Berdyev October 2017 1 0 0 1 0%
Timur Kapadze February 2018 — June 2018 4 0 1 3 0%
Héctor Cúper August 2018 — September 2019 17 7 4 6 40%
Vadim Abramov September 2019 — 5 4 0 1 80%

Home Stadium
Milliy Stadium
Pakhtakor Central Stadium

From the moment of its formation (1992) until the end of 2012, the main home stadium of the Uzbekistan national football team was the Pakhtakor Central Stadium in Tashkent, built and opened in 1956. This stadium is also the venue for home matches of Pakhtakor Football Club. During the USSR, this stadium was home for the Uzbekistan SSR national team. Was reconstructed in 1996, 2008 and 2012 and currently holds 35,000 spectators (before this capacity was 55,000 spectators). For today's time the national team of Uzbekistan holds only some of the matches at Pakhtakor Stadium.

From 2013 to the present, the main home stadium of the Uzbekistan national team is the Milliy Stadium (until 2018 was named Bunyodkor Stadium), built in 2008-2012 and accommodating 34,000 spectators. This stadium is also a home for the Bunyodkor Football Club.

Home venues record
Venue City Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA First match Last match
Pakhtakor Central Stadium Tashkent 62 36 16 10 149 47 28 June 1992 19 November 2019
Milliy Stadium Tashkent 20 14 3 3 29 7 26 March 2013 11 June 2019
MHSK Stadium Tashkent 8 6 2 0 25 1 13 October 2007 27 August 2008
JAR Stadium Tashkent 3 1 0 2 3 3 14 November 2009 29 May 2014
Dinamo Samarkand Stadium Samarkand 2 2 0 0 8 1 11 July 1999 18 August 1999
AGMK Stadium Almalyk 1 0 0 1 0 1 27 May 2014 27 May 2014
Markaziy Stadium Qarshi 1 0 1 0 0 0 7 February 2007 7 February 2007
NBU Stadium Tashkent 1 1 0 0 8 1 29 February 2000 29 February 2000
Total 96 59 22 15 218 58

Last updated: 19 November 2019. Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

Individual all-time records
As of 19 November 2019

Most capped players
Server Djeparov
# Player Date of birth Matches Goals First match Last match
1 Server Djeparov (1982-10-03) 3 October 19821282514 May 20025 September 2017
2 Timur Kapadze (1981-09-05) 5 September 19811191014 May 200222 January 2015
3 Ignatiy Nesterov (1983-06-20) 20 June 1983106021 August 200221 January 2019
4 Odil Ahmedov (1987-11-25) 25 November 19871052013 October 200719 November 2019
5 Anzur Ismailov (1985-04-21) 21 April 198510432 July 20075 September 2019
6 Alexander Geynrikh (1984-10-06) 6 October 1984983214 May 20025 September 2017
7 Aziz Haydarov (1985-07-08) 8 July 19858512 July 200713 October 2018
8 Vitaliy Denisov (1987-02-23) 23 February 198772122 February 200611 September 2018
9 Islom Tukhtakhodjaev (1989-10-30) 30 October 198971228 January 200919 November 2019
10 Mirjalol Qosimov (1970-09-17) 17 September 1970663117 June 199212 October 2005
11 Andrei Fyodorov (1971-04-10) 10 April 197165711 April 199415 November 2006
12 Nikolay Shirshov (1974-06-22) 22 June 1974641319 November 199617 August 2005
13 Asror Aliqulov (1978-10-12) 12 October 197861011 April 19941 July 2008
14 Maxim Shatskikh (1978-08-30) 30 August 1978613418 August 199929 May 2014

Top goalscorers
Maxim Shatskikh
# Player Date of birth Goals Matches Average First match Last match
1 Maxim Shatskikh (1978-08-30) 30 August 197834610.5618 August 199929 May 2014
2 Alexander Geynrikh (1984-10-06) 6 October 198431980.3214 May 20025 September 2017
3 Mirjalol Qosimov (1970-09-17) 17 September 197031660.4717 June 199212 October 2005
4 Server Djeparov (1982-10-03) 3 October 1982251280.214 May 20025 September 2019
5 Odil Ahmedov (1987-11-25) 25 November 1987201050.1913 October 200719 November 2019
6 Igor Shkvyrin (1963-04-29) 29 April 196320310.6517 June 199217 October 2000
7 Eldor Shomurodov (1995-06-29) 29 June 199519420.453 September 201519 November 2019
8 Jafar Irismetov (1976-08-23) 23 August 197615360.4225 May 199721 November 2007
9 Ulugbek Bakayev (1978-11-28) 28 November 197814520.2725 April 200129 May 2014
10 Igor Sergeev (1993-04-30) 30 April 199313500.2610 September 201314 November 2019
Sardor Rashidov (1991-06-14) 14 June 199113470.2815 October 201317 January 2019
Nikolay Shirshov (1974-06-22) 22 June 197413640.219 November 199617 August 2005

P.S.

Current team players
  • Odil Ahmedov
  • Vitaly Denisov
  • Ignatiy Nesterov
  • Sardor Rashidov
  • Igor Sergeev
  • Eldor Shomurodov
  • Dostonbek Khamdamov

Nicknames
Uzbekistan vs. Bahrain. Pakhtakor Central Stadium, 2009.

The Uzbekistan national team has received several nicknames by supporters and media. The most common one used is "The White Wolwes" (Uzbek Oq boʻrilar / Оқ бўрилар; Russian Белые волки / Beliye volki).[8][9][10][11] The wolf is a revered animal of the Turkic peoples. The main part of the population of Uzbekistan belongs to the Turkic peoples. Also in the country live Iranian peoples, Russian and others. White color refers to the basic form of the Uzbekistan national team.

Also, the Uzbekistan national football team is called "Asian Italy"[12] (Uzbek Osiyo Italiyasi / Осиё Италияси; Russian Азиатская Италия / Aziatskaya Italiya). This is due to the similarity of colors (white and blue) clothing teams of Italy and Uzbekistan, as well as similar tactics (defensive football) of these teams.[13] The Uzbekistan Super League is often considered to be similar to Italian Serie A. Also, the history of Uzbekistan is as rich and ancient as the history of Italy.[14]

Also the team of Uzbekistan is called "Huma birds" (Uzbek Humo qushlari / Ҳумо қушлари; Russian Птицы Хума / Ptitsi Khuma). The mythical Huma bird is the national bird of Uzbekistan, and is depicted on the state emblem of Uzbekistan. The Huma bird is depicted on the emblem of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Sometimes the Uzbekistan national football is called "Turanians"[15] (Uzbek Turonliklar / Туронликлар; Russian Туранцы / Turantsi), because the current country of Uzbekistan is located in the center of this ancient region Turan, and all the ancient and major cities of this region are located in this country, and therefore Uzbekistan is considered by some to be the successor of the Turan.[16][17]

Rivalries
Uzbekistani fans at the 2019 Asian Cup in UAE

The main rivals of the Uzbekistan national team are the countries of Central Asia, the national teams of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. The main and most important rival of the national team of Uzbekistan are the national teams of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. The matches between the countries of Central Asia have always aroused great interest among fans of Central Asia, in spite of Uzbekistan's superiority since the fall of USSR. Football is one of the instruments of rivalry between the states of Central Asia. This rivalry comes from Soviet times.

Also in recent years, Uzbekistan has been competing with the Iran ("Rivalry between Iran and Turan" in Shahnameh), China, South Korea and Saudi Arabia national football teams. The Uzbekistan national football team also has rivalry with other countries of the former USSR, for example with Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

Uzbekistan national team has a lot of fans, not only in Uzbekistan itself, but also in other countries of Central Asia and in other countries of the former Soviet Union (Post-Soviet states). For example, Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian fans always support Uzbekistan national team in Asian Cups and in other tournaments.[18] There are also a lot of fans of the national team of Uzbekistan in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Turkey and in Afghanistan.

Kit
YearsSuppliers[19][20]
1992—1997 Adidas
1998
 Admiral
1999
 Grand Sport
2000
 Adidas
2001—2002 Hummel
2003
 Umbro
2004—2012 Puma
2013—2018 Joma
2018 Adidas
2019—present Jako

See also

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  2. Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  3. http://www.futbolgrad.com/uzbekistan-remembering-miracle-1994/
  4. "Uzbekistan and Bahrain to play it again". ESPN. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  5. "Uzbekistan 2–3 South Korea". Goal.com. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  6. http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=20590948
  7. "Squad". Uzbekistan Football Association. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  8. "Cuper ready to power Uzbekistan". AFC. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  9. "2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Uzbekistan 1-0 Qatar - White Wolves pile further misery on the Maroons". Goal.com. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  10. "Uzbekistan Football Federation President Mirabror Usmanov Met With Junior White Wolves". Championat.asia. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  11. "James Minahan. The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems". Google Books. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  12. "Кубок Азии – 2019. Группа F. Сборная Узбекистана. Белые волки Турана". sports.ru. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  13. "Кубок Азии – 2019. Группа F. Сборная Узбекистана. Белые волки Турана". sports.ru. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  14. Marko Polo — National Encyclopedia of Uzbekistan, 2000—2005
  15. "Кубок Азии – 2019. Группа F. Сборная Узбекистана. Белые волки Турана". sports.ru. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  16. Turon — National Encyclopedia of Uzbekistan, 2000—2005
  17. Бартольд В. В. Работы по истории и филологии тюркских и монгольских народов / В. В. Бартольд; — Перепеч. с изд. 1968 г. — М. — ISBN 9785020183391 (в пер.)
  18. "Блогеры Трибуны написали лучший гайд по Кубку Азии. Здесь Липпи, Сон, Купер и сборная Сирии". sports.ru. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  19. sports.ru — Узбекская кухня: Swag. Хипстеры. Adidas. Модный показ сборной Узбекистана
  20. stadion.uz — Терма жамоаларимизда либос масаласи
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