Uzbekistan signed off on their World Cup preparations with an undefeated final international window, a penalty shoot-out victory, and an inaugural FIFA Series triumph in their home send off.
Departing for the final domestic season stretch before Fabio Cannavaro names his squad in May, the mere fact of not having added further fitness concerns to an already growing injury list, will be the cherry on top of the cake for the Italian coach.
In Tashkent, the White Wolves overcame two stiff opponents, beating Gabon 3-1 on Friday, before a 0-0 draw with Venezuela on Monday. With an impressively clinical 5-4 victory in the resulting shootout, the team claimed one of the first FIFA Series competitions, and increased expectations ahead of their debut World Cup this summer.
The window wasn’t necessarily prioritised for the opportunity for success, but in it, the squad continues to build momentum and a taste for winning that can only hold them in good stead with less than three months left to kick off.
No shocks, no surprises
It’s easy to forget that Fabio Cannavaro has not even been in post six months yet, given the familiarity in approach and personnel he already possesses; the squad have truly taken to their new coach like a hand to glove.
Given the concerns upon his arrival, having been inserted as what could be construed as the superficial, internationally familiar figurehead of a squad, that barring a couple of developing European stars, are still relative unknowns outside Asia, Cannavaro has proven his doubters wrong, in astutely harnessing the stability he was presented with on arrival.
Demonstrated by Srecko Katanec and Timur Kapadze, the consistency in approach at senior level allowed for a developing national identity and a considered path for the talent pipeline to progress through; defensively solid as a first priority, strong in the core, and built to counter.
While Cannavaro has turned the dial up on the team’s intensity, with and without the ball, the blueprint has always been there, and by this final round of international friendlies, he has stuck religiously to the 5-2-3/3-4-3 setup that has brought him and Uzbekistan success to date.
The considerations this window instead focused on the individuals in place, spurred on by a growing injury list. The long-term ACL injury to Husniddin Alikulov three months ago was a damning blow to Uzbekistan’s World Cup prospects; not only for the loss of his unquestionable talent, but also for his relative distinctiveness, being one of very few natural left-sided defenders in the national team picture.
In his place, 22-year-old Jakhongir Urozov played his first 180 minutes for the senior squad, and considerably impressed. The 190cm tall Dinamo defender had a blinder of a debut that he’s unlikely to forget – scoring once, and clearing twice off the line against Gabon, before a less thrilling but sturdier second game against Venezuela. He’s surely guaranteed a place on the plane to North America, if not a starting spot against Colombia in June.
The other question mark was in attacking areas. With injuries to Jalloliddin Masharipov, and Abbosbek Fayzullaev, the March window offered the opportunity to run the rule over the alternative options at Cannavaro’s disposal.
While Alisher Odilov, who impressed with his direct running off the bench in both matches, and his Neftchi teammate, and national team veteran Jamshid Iskandarov both made promising cameos, it was Aziz Ganiev who gained the most traction, with two starts, and a growing influence in what feels the more pragmatic choice to start in a debut World Cup.
In an ideal world, the return to fitness of Abbosbek Fayzullaev feels the most exciting option; however, given the 22-year-old’s lack of defensive capabilities, physical stature, and his high impact off the bench, Ganiev as an alternative feels the more sensible pick.
This week he delivered on flexibility; able to simultaneously cover wide positions in a defensive role, tuck into the centre midfield given his familiarly with Shukurov and Hamrobekov, and also have the energy and vision to link well with Shomurodov. His dead ball effectiveness alone, has arguably cemented his importance to the squad and the starting lineup.
Reliance on key individuals remains a risk
While Cannavaro will have answered a few questions, a few points will still present concern or potentially limit his flexibility as we approach the final tournament.
Despite Gabon being the more impressive result on paper, it was generally a precarious match. The African team cut through the Uzbek defence on more than one occasion – especially in the first period, and should have arguably reversed the score by full time but for a shade of luck of poor finishing. With Abdokhodir Khusanov sitting out through suspension, the lack of pace on the cover was particularly revealing, especially in the tired legs of Rustam Ashurmatov and Umar Eshmurodov.
A degree of rust is possibly understandable, with three of the starting lineup, who play their club football in Iran having not played in several weeks following the middle east conflict, and at times it showed, and not just defensively, but further forward, with Oston Urunov spurring a number of promising opportunities.
With no realistic return to domestic football in the Persian Gulf Pro League in the coming month, an immediate solution to a lack of gameplay, for what is the spine of this Uzbekistan squad is needed more than ever. With Uzbek Super League clubs lobbying FIFA to allow special dispensation, to permit a loan back home while the conflict persists; a positive development feels close, but it needs to happen soon in order to not lose momentum.
The other issue is in attack. While there are plenty of options in support, the over-reliance on Eldor Shomurodov as the side’s leading central marksman was all too apparent this window. The striker, who has developed his all-round game significantly since his loan move to Başakşehir in Türkiye, will undoubtedly start at the Azteca come the opening matchday, and will likely feature in every minute in North America. But, what if he can’t, what then?
In a similar vein to the reliance on Khusanov, who’s return to the team against Venezuela gave the defence an immediate confidence boost, Shomurodov’s importance feels too vital to Uzbekistan’s World Cup prospects not to have tinkered with the alternatives over this last window.
Igor Sergeev, another stuck in limbo with Persepolis in Iran, and Sherzhod Temirov, currently catching fire in Iraq, have been in impressive form domestically, but were given less than 10 minutes between them this last week, to illustrate, either their capacity as an alternative striker option off the bench, or dare we say an injury replacement, if the worst befalls Shomurodov.
As the final stretch approaches, optimism within the squad remains intact, albeit finely balanced on the fitness and form of Uzbekistan’s key players at both ends of the pitch. After months disrupted by injuries and selection decisions, Cannavaro will be hoping that his decision to place faith in a settled core proves decisive, offering the stability and reassurance that had risked being absent by his late appointment.
Uzbekistan will arrive in Mexico looking stronger and more assured than in the Kapadze era, it must be said – a clear vindication of the UFA’s calculated gamble.
There is a growing sense that the White Wolves could yet emerge as one of the tournament’s early surprise packages. While the challenge ahead remains formidable, strong recent form and a successful navigation of their final preparations will undoubtedly breed confidence. What follows will only be decided on football’s grandest stage.
Listen to Episode 268 of The Asian Game Podcast
