OKMK's Defeat: Sharp Criticism from Mirjalol Kasimov and a Candid Appeal to Fans

Following the Uzbekistan Cup Round of 16 match, in which “Bukhara” defeated OKMK 3-1, OKMK’s head coach Mirjalol Kasimov held a press conference and shared his thoughts.

The head coach began with strong criticism and reflective remarks:
“What can I say? It’s like an old bathhouse, an old tub. We, like youngsters, made mistakes. But this is football, and such mistakes happen. This is no excuse, but unfortunately, such a series of mistakes has continued for three or four matches.”

Kasimov addressed contentious moments in the game:
“We conceded two goals within two or three minutes, and that seriously affected our team’s spirit. I apologize to our fans for the defeat and congratulate the opponent on their victory. We fought until the end and made efforts, but ‘Bukhara’ left us no chances. We’re losing three points in very simple situations. My players played until the end, tried to follow instructions, but again and again made childish mistakes.”

The coach emphasized the need for thorough analysis for team development:
“We will review the game and deeply analyze the mistakes. We must finish the first round and prepare seriously for the second.”

On VAR and refereeing, he spoke directly:
“Today VAR worked, referees went to the monitor and made decisions. Mistakes happen in football; nothing is perfect. The main thing is to avoid simple mistakes and increase the tempo of play.”

Kasimov also voiced disapproval of artificial stoppages that disrupt the game’s flow:
“Today, from the very first minutes, the opponent’s goalkeeper started lying on the ground. This is not an excuse, but fans come to the stadium to watch football. If there are injuries, that’s understandable, but baseless stoppages break the rhythm. This has been seen in other matches as well. If we need fast, attacking football, we must take all these factors into account.”

From the Zamin.uz editorial team:
Kasimov’s critical words and call for self-analysis can serve as a lesson not only for the team but for all football fans. OKMK now faces important challenges — the team must continue working on itself and demonstrate professionalism in every match. Fans who love football and believe in the team will undoubtedly continue to support it. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!