Under Timur Kapadze’s leadership, the Uzbekistan national team announced its expanded squad for the “CAFA Nations Cup-2025”. It is noted that in this list reliance is placed on the harmony of experience and youth, with trust given to players having a wide functional role.
“Оқ бўрилар” will start the tournament on August 30 with a game against Oman. Thus, from the very first day, a test awaits against an opponent requiring high tempo and proper rotation; every small detail in preparation turns into a decisive factor.
Goalkeepers: Ўткир Юсупов (“Фулад”, Iran), Ботирали Эргашев (“Нефтчи”), Абдувоҳид Неъматов (“Насаф”), Владимир Назаров (“Пахтакор”).
Defenders: Абдулла Абдуллаев (“Дибба”, UAE), Ҳусниддин Алиқулов (“Ризеспор”), Умарбек Эшмуродов (“Насаф”), Муҳаммадқодир Ҳамралиев (“Пахтакор”), Дилшод Комилов (“Қизилқум”), Абдуқодир Ҳусанов (“Манчестер Сити”, England), Алибек Давронов (“Насаф”), Авазбек Ўлмасалиев (ОКМК), Шерзод Насруллаев (“Насаф”), Фарруҳ Сайфиев (“Нефтчи”), Иброҳимҳалил Йўлдошев (“Нефтчи”), Ҳожиакбар Алижонов (“Пахтакор”), Дилшод Саитов (“Пахтакор”).
Midfielders: Аброрбек Исмоилов (“Нефтчи”), Одилжон Ҳамробеков (“Трактор”, Iran), Отабек Шукуров (without a club), Азизжон Ғаниев (“Ал Батаэҳ”, UAE), Абдурауф Бўриев (“Пахтакор”), Диёр Ҳолматов (“Пахтакор”), Акмал Мозговой (“Бани Яс”, UAE), Иброҳим Ибрагимов (“Пахтакор”), Жамшид Искандеров (“Нефтчи”).
Forwards: Остон Ўрунов (“Персеполис”, Iran), Русланбек Жиянов (“Навбаҳор”), Азиз Турғунбоев (“Пахтакор”), Аббосбек Файзуллаев (“Истанбул Башакшехир”, Turkey), Ҳожимат Эркинов (“Пахтакор”), Алишер Одилов (“Нефтчи”), Игорь Сергеев (“Пахтакор”), Ҳусайн Норчаев (“Насаф”), Элдор Шомуродов “Истанбул Башакшехир”, Turkey).
It should be noted that competition on the goal line is high: in addition to the experienced Ўткир Юсупов, there is also trust in Ботирали Эргашев, and among the youngsters — Абдувоҳид Неъматов and Владимир Назаров. In defense, the main criterion will be thoroughly sealing the center, ensuring speed on the flanks and positional discipline.
In the midfield line, central “сочувчи” such as Otabek Shukurov, the dynamics of Odiljon Hamrobekov, and Azizjon Gʻaniyev’s accuracy on set pieces are important. At the same time, the combination of names showing the influence of “Пахтакор” and “Нефтчи” serves to increase decision speed under pressing.
In the front line, from performers such as Oston Urunov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Igor Sergeev and Eldor Shomurodov, it is required to be able to finish attacks in various scenarios, stretch the opponent in width and not make mistakes in the final strike. This variability serves as an additional “trump card” in adapting to opponents’ styles.
Thus, for “Оқ бўрилар” the first bout — against Oman on August 30 — is the starting point that determines the dynamics of the entire tournament. The coaching staff aims to take a confident step in the group stage through a well-thought-out balance of the lineup, proper control of the game’s tempo and prudent use of the bench.
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