The VI Islamic Solidarity Games, held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, are coming to a close. One of the final days of the tournament witnessed exciting and dramatic futsal matches. The Uzbekistan national team competed for the bronze medal against host nation Saudi Arabia and emerged victorious in a thrilling match.
The match began at an extremely fast pace from the very first minutes. Both teams actively pressed and launched quick attacks, trying to take control of the game. Midway through the first half, Saudi player Nawaf Mubarak Aroan opened the scoring — 1:0. However, this lead was short-lived: just a minute later, Elbek Tolqinov scored a response goal for Uzbekistan, leveling the score at 1:1.
After this, the battle on the field became even more intense. Both teams pressed to secure victory, but the score remained unchanged in regular time. The penalty shootout proved decisive for Uzbekistan, with the team winning 6:5 and claiming the tournament's bronze medal.
This victory demonstrated not only the team's professional skill but also their determination and cohesive teamwork. Following the match, head coach Islombek Ismoilov expressed pride in his players:
“This result is the outcome of dedication and hard work. We were strong not only during the game but mentally as well. We fought for the trust of our fans, and this bronze medal feels as valuable as gold to us,” the coach said.
The Uzbekistan national team fielded the following lineup in this match:
Shavkat Ibragimov (goalkeeper), Ikhtiyor Ropiyev, Ilhom Hamroyev, Elbek Tolqinov, and Shahram Fakhriddinov. The substitutes included Abbos Elmurodov, Abror Akhmetzyanov, Mashrab Odilov, Shahzod Sadiyev, Akbar Usmonov, Khairullo Solikhov, Muzaffar Ahadjonov, Eldor Nigmatov, and Muhammadali Husanboyev.
At the conclusion of the game, Uzbekistan delegation members and team players were awarded their medals in a ceremonial presentation. The players proudly paraded the national flag in front of the fans.
Experts have highlighted that this achievement represents an important milestone for Uzbekistan's futsal team. The team has shown consistent growth in recent years and proved capable of standing up to strong regional opponents.
The bronze medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games has provided new motivation for Uzbekistan’s athletes. This is not just a success at a single tournament — it is an inspiring step toward greater victories in the future.
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