In the group stage of the U-23 Asian Cup, the Uzbekistan youth national team once again showed character. The victory over South Korea earned the team not only three points, but also secured first place in the group and a playoff spot. At the post-match press conference, head coach Ravshan Haydarov and the best player of the match, Behruz Karimov, openly expressed their opinions - the goal is big, and the path is getting hotter now.
Khaydarov: "This is only the first step"
Ravshan Haydarov praised the team's performance and result, congratulating the fans on their victory. He emphasized that the most important aspect of this match was that the players had almost perfectly executed the prepared plan.
According to the coach, in the first half the opponent had more control of the ball, but the Uzbek team, having played with patience, perseverance, and intelligence, took the initiative in the second half. The result was precisely the result of this tactical discipline.
"Exiting the group is only the beginning," Khaydarov said. - Now the real exam, that is, the playoff matches, will begin. We'll find out the opponent tomorrow, but we'll try to get stronger in every match.
The coach also noted that the competition in the team is good, and there are ready and high-quality performers in the reserve. Rotations are possible because the tempo of the competition is high, and the path is long.
Khaydarov's main conclusion is one: if the team understands the game, follows the strategy, and adds individual skills at the right time - great results will come. And he believes that the guys will grow even further.
"The most important thing today is that our players fully complied with the game plan and strategy. By understanding the game and adding individual skills, we will achieve the result. The guys will grow even more. "Our goal is clear - God willing, we will fight for the championship," Khaydarov said.
Karimov: "We are not tourists here"
At the press conference, the best player of the game, Behruz Karimov, also expressed a very clear position. His words were not just motivation - they sounded like a "roadmap."
"We didn't come to this competition just to participate. We may be younger, but this is not an excuse. Our goal is to become champions. "Every game is like a final for us," said Karimov.
One thing is noticeable from these thoughts: the team has high morale, strong confidence, and concrete goals. To be the first to leave the group is "plus moral," but no one is deceiving themselves: the most difficult part is still ahead.
What will happen now?
Now the Uzbekistan U-23 team will meet their opponent in the playoffs. There, the "error limit" is close to zero: one game - decides everything. But, as Haydarov said, if the team gets stronger from game to game, if, as Karimov said, they perceive every match as a final - much can be expected from this lineup.
In short, "exiting the group" here is just the start. Now the real series is starting.
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