The Uzbekistan U-17 national youth team has launched intensive preparations ahead of the Asian Cup. The squad is currently conducting a training camp in the city of Taif, aiming to reach peak performance for the upcoming tournament.
Head coach Sergey Chigodayev provided detailed insights into the pre-tournament preparation process. He noted that the camp began on April 15 in Tashkent, where the initial phase focused heavily on improving the players' physical condition.
"Training sessions were organized twice a day. Morning sessions emphasized physical conditioning. Simultaneously, the players worked with a psychologist. Mental stability is a crucial factor ahead of such major competitions," the coach stated.
In the subsequent phase, the team shifted its focus to perfecting technical and tactical aspects. Chigodayev mentioned that all work is proceeding according to plan, and most importantly, there are no serious injuries within the squad.
The team has already arrived in Saudi Arabia and has completed its first training session. Training will continue in Taif, after which the squad will relocate to Jeddah on the eve of the tournament's commencement.
Control matches are also included in the schedule. Specifically, a test match against the hosts is set for April 25. "The Saudi team is technically strong with players of high individual skill. We have faced them three times before. This match will be a very useful test ahead of the Asian Cup," the coach added.
For reference, the Uzbekistan U-17 national team will begin its tournament campaign on May 6 with a match against North Korea U-17.
In short, the team is ready — now everything will be decided on the pitch. Fans are expecting significant results from this new generation.
