Among the heroes of the new season of the Turkish championship, Eldor Shomurodov deserves special mention. The 30-year-old striker, who left Roma for Istanbul Bashakshehir in the summer, proved his enthusiasm and responsibility in the first round of the Super League. 17 matches - 12 goals! This indicator makes him the leader in the top scorer race.
Before the second round, the Anadolu news agency interviewed the Uzbek forward. During the conversation, Shomurodov shared his sincere thoughts about the difficult start of the season, the new atmosphere at "Bashakshehir," Nuri Shahin's influence, internal competition, preparation for the World Cup, and even Uzbekistan.
First half of the season: from difficulty to confidence
According to Eldor, the team faced some challenges in the first half. Sports form was also not always ideal, and the results expected at the beginning of the season were not achieved. However, the team, acknowledging this, did not stop - on the contrary, it did everything possible to "correct the shortcomings."
Most importantly, the opportunity to qualify for European cups still remains. Bashakshehir's main goal is to secure a spot in European competitions. Shomurodov emphasized that he is working hard in this direction and believes that the second round will be held at a much higher pace.
The reason for leaving Roma: playing more and finding oneself
Shomurodov openly stated the main reason for choosing Bashakshehir: he wanted to play more. The coaching staff, work style, and team's game philosophy made a good impression on him. Now he says he has focused all his attention only on "Bashakshehir."
"I didn't even think about other teams," says Eldor. Only Allah knows the future, but now he has gotten used to both the Istanbul environment and the team. According to him, if a person works honestly and follows the right path, Allah will certainly not waste their labor.
Nuri Shahin's effect: change started on the same day
According to Shomurodov, Nuri Shahin changed a lot from the very first day of joining the team. His ability to understand the players' psyche and feel the emotions of each player is a great plus for the team.
"With Nuri Shahin, the team has improved significantly," Eldor adds confidently. In his opinion, "Bashakshehir" is on the right track.
Internal competition: position doesn't matter, profit matters
Bashakshehir has many strong forwards. So, the competition is fierce. For this reason, Eldor is sometimes forced to act in various positions. He doesn't hide that he certainly enjoys playing in the "ninks," but if he can also play in the "ten" and benefit the team, that's enough for him.
There's a simple truth behind this statement: whether scoring a goal, providing an assist, or changing positions - the goal is the same, serving to help the team win.
World Cup: "not just to participate"
During the conversation, Shomurodov highlighted a historic event for Uzbekistan: the national team qualified for the final stage of the World Cup for the first time. Eldor considers this a great joy for the entire nation and notes that the preparations are proceeding seriously.
"The most important thing is to play on the field worthy of our country," he said. He emphasized that there is always an opportunity to leave the group, that Uzbekistan will not be limited to just participating, but will also fight for a good result.
Historic match against the UAE: "the whole road" flashed before his eyes
Eldor called the decisive meeting against the United Arab Emirates "the most unforgettable." He says that it was through this match that he got the opportunity to participate in the World Cup. At that time, he felt as if his entire football career had passed before his eyes.
Such moments make a footballer a footballer: one game is worth a lifetime.
About the Turkish national team: confidence is high
Shomurodov also praised the Turkish national team. In his opinion, the Turkish national team is very strong and will definitely qualify for the World Cup. If they can show their full potential, they believe they will perform well in the final stage as well.
Uzbekistan - a place of pride and longing
One of the warmest points of the interview was Shomurodov's words about Uzbekistan. He noted that Uzbek cuisine is not inferior to Turkish cuisine, and our historical cities, such as Samarkand, Khiva, and Bukhara, are unique. He noted that Tashkent has also changed significantly, new beautiful places have appeared, and added that there are many places worth visiting in Uzbekistan.
Fayzullayev and Zeki Chelik: respect and friendship are preserved
Eldor Abbosbek called Fayzullayev one of the young talents of Uzbekistan. At first, it wasn't easy for him, but now his game has grown noticeably. He indicated that if he maintained this form, he could achieve excellent results.
He also maintained contact with Zeki Celik, with whom he played for Roma. They see each other from time to time, the relationship is good. It was also stated that the presence of Muhammad Shengezer, one of Zeki's close friends, at Bashakshehir contributes to the continuous maintenance of these ties.
When does the second round start?
Istanbul Bashakshehir will kick off the second round of the Super League on January 17th. In the opening match of the 18th round, Eldor Shomurodov's team will host Fotih Karagyumryuk.
From the forward, who scored 12 goals in the first round, fans are now waiting for something else: the continuation of goals and decisive steps for European qualification. And Eldar himself doesn't hide it - the goal is big, the trust is big.
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