Despite a disappointing AFC Asian Cup 2015 , Mirjalal Qasimov is determined to bounce back strongly in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The friendly against Iran at Bunyodkor’s Metropolitan Stadium, Tashkent is seen as tough test against the top ranked Asian team before starting the long road in the qualifiers. A strong showing by Qasimov’s men will augur well for their first match against North Korea away in Puyong Yang.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s top priority is making it to the FIFA World Cup 2018 being held next door in Russia. Nothing short of qualification for their first ever World Cup will be satisfactory for the Uzbek who seem to have put all their resources into this project.
Uzbekistan is going through a transition where the older generation has all but disappeared and Qasimov is counting on young promising players to achieve their objective. Players like Sardor Rashidov of Bunyodkor was excellent in the AFC Asian Cup 2015 while Igor Sergeyev (Pakhtakor) and Ikrom Aliboev are awaiting their chances to shine for their country.
Qasimov still has some of the veterans on hand. Former AFC Player of the year Server Djeparov (2008 and 2011) and the tough tackling Vitaliy Denisov are still part of the squad but playing peripheral roles. Their experience is considered vital by Qasimov in their quest to make it to Russia in 2018.
7 Uzbek players make their living abroad including Fazil Musayev who had quite a successful season in Iran’s winning the league title with Sepahan Esfahan.
Iran
Iran on the other hand , is considered on of the favorites to make it to the FIFA World Cup 2018. Like Uzbekistan , this match will be a stern test and a good warm up for Carlos Queiroz who found Uzbekistan quite a tough nut to crack when they last met in the qualifiers of the last World Cup.
It is not expected that Queiroz will divert away from his solid defensive game plan. With the skeleton of the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup team , Queiroz will continue with the same strategy minus Javad Nekounam who has retired from international football.
The most significant blow to Queiroz will be the absence of Ashkan Dejagah , one of Iran’s best players for the last few years. However , with the excellent Vahid Amiri in form and the emergence of Ehsan Hajsafy in midfield, Dejagah’s absence will be minimized.
The only real concern for Queiroz will be in the goal. Team Melli might find it tough going without a quality keeper between the posts.
Prediction
It is expected to be a tight and closed match with the most likely result being goalless or a small margin win for either sides. Entertainment value is not expected to be high.
Match details
UZBEKISTAN vs. IRAN
Venue: Bunyodkor’s Metropolitan Stadium,
City : Tashkent
date: Thursday 11th June 2015
Time: 17:30 (Tehran) 13:00 GMT
IRAN vs. UZBEKISTAN
Head to Head results
| H / A / N | Matches | W | D | L | Goals | + / – |
| Home | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 – 1 | -1 |
| Away | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 – 0 | +1 |
| Neutral | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 – 1 | +5 |
| Total | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 – 2 | +5 |
| Date | Comp. | H / A / N | Final score | Stadium | Attendance |
| 14.11.2012 | World Cup Qualifier | H | 0 – 1 | Azadi Stadium , Tehran | 40,000 |
| 03.06.2012 | World Cup Qualifier | A | 1 – 0 | JAR Stadium -Tashkent | 9,000 |
| 05.09.2009 | Friendly | A | 0 – 0 | Tashkent / Pakhtakor | 9,500 |
| 11.07.2007 | Asian Cup / Group C | N | 2 – 1 | National Stadium Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur | 3,000 |
| 14.12.1998 | Asian Games | N | 4 – 0 | Suphachalasai | 2,500 |
UZBEKISTAN Squad
# Players’ name Date of birth Football Club
Goalkeepers
1 Eldor Suyunov -1991 Nasaf
2 Akbar Turaev -1989 Bunyodkor
3 Ignatiy Nesterov- 1983 Lokomotiv
Defenders
4 Anzur Ismoilov- 1985 Changchun Yatai, China
5 Shavkat Mullajanov -1986 Lokomotiv
6 Shukhrat Muhammadiev -1989 Nasaf
7 Egor Krimets -1992 Pakhtakor
8 Islom Tuhtahodžaev -1989 Lokomotiv
9 Vitaliy Denisov -1987 Lokomotiv, Russia
10 Akmal Šorahmedov -1986 Bunyodkor
11 Farrukh Sajfiev- 1991 Nasaf
Midfielder
12 Aziz Haydarov- 1985 Al Shabab U.A.E.
13 Odil Ahmedov- 1987 -Krasnodar, Russia
14 Server Djeparov -1983 -Ulsan, Hyundai
15 Lutfulla Turaev -1988 -Lokomotiv
16 Sandzhar Tursunov- 1987 vorskla, Ukraine
17 Sardor Rashidov -1991 Bunyodkor
18 Shohrukh Gadoev- 1991 Nasaf
19 Ikrom Aliboev -1994
20 Khasanov Jasur – Locomotive 1983 Lokomotiv
21 Fazil Musayev – 1989 Sepahan, Iran
Forwards
22 Zohir Kuzibaev -1986 Mash’al
23 Nasimov Baҳodir – 1987 Padideҳ Eron
24 Igor Sergeyev -1993 Pakhtakor