In the 25th round of the Super League, “Nasaf” defeated “Kokand-1912” 3–0 at home. After the match, head coach Ruzikul Berdiev spoke in detail at the press conference about the team’s performance and future plans.
According to him, the players gave their all and achieved a deserved result in a difficult match. He noted that many clubs have recently switched to five-defender formations, focusing more on defensive organization.
Berdiev emphasized that in such situations, the best strategy is to score an early goal and force the opponent into mistakes. After that, set pieces worked well, the opponent tried to open up, and “Nasaf” created additional chances through counterattacks.
He stated that the forwards did not stop looking for opportunities even in tough conditions and completed their task effectively. “In such matches, every small detail matters — pressing, counter-pressing, and speed on the flanks help disrupt the opponent’s structure,” he added.
Commenting on Cholovich’s position, Berdiev said minor adjustments were made to the formation but the 4–3–3 system remained. The same approach was used in a previous game against “Bukhara” and caused problems for the rival.
Regarding Sherzod Nasrullaev’s condition, Berdiev said: “He has played many matches and returned from a long trip early this morning, so he wasn’t in top form. Nevertheless, he entered the game well and sealed the win with his goal.”
The fixture schedule was also discussed. Several players had just returned from international duty, and some were with national teams. Although the club requested a postponement, the game was not rescheduled due to time constraints.
Still, internal resources were used efficiently. Those recovering were managed carefully, and players who had just rejoined the squad were not risked.
When asked about the next opponent in the AFC Champions League Elite stage, Berdiev praised the level of “Al-Shabab”. He noted that the team has few local players but many strong foreigners, which requires discipline and a tailored approach to each match.
Ahead of the season finale, the goal remains unchanged — to keep the lead and finish strong. The coach admitted that rivals are improving, making every point harder to earn.
Berdiev also commented on the presence of Uzbekistan national team head coach Fabio Cannavaro, who attended the match: “It’s good when national coaches watch local games. They can personally assess players. Maybe some of our guys noticed him. We told them to stay focused on the match — wanting to impress is natural, but sometimes it can distract. Perhaps someone managed to catch the coach’s attention.”
In conclusion, Berdiev said “Nasaf’s” latest victory was important not only for the points but also for building confidence and tactical identity. The team once again demonstrated its spirit through quick goals, well-prepared set pieces, and solid pressing.
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