The Uzbekistan Cup Group Stage Matchday 1 clash between AGMK and Metallurg was a true battle. The derby between the Almalyk and Bekabad teams ended in a high-scoring 3-3 draw.
After the match, AGMK head coach Mirjalol Qosimov shared his thoughts. The expert noted that the match lived up to its derby status, offering exciting and entertaining football.
"We witnessed a derby, it was an interesting game. The scoreline reflects that. It was a typical derby match. I think the fans were the winners here; it was a beautiful game," said Qosimov.
At the same time, the AGMK coach admitted that his team should not have let the victory slip away while leading 3-1. In his opinion, football lasts 90 minutes and requires full focus until the final whistle.
"Football is played for 90 minutes. At 3-1, we could have easily secured the win. But Metallurg fought with all their might. Naturally, they were rewarded with a draw," the coach added.
Indeed, Metallurg showed character in this match. Despite trailing, the Bekabad side did not stop fighting and kept the pressure on until the end, securing an important away draw.
Qosimov also spoke about his goals in the Cup. He emphasized that for AGMK, the competition name does not matter—whether it is the Cup or the league, the team approaches every game seriously.
"It makes no difference to us: Cup or league, we play with our hearts in every match. We have our own audience and fans. We play for them. That is why we strive to fight until the end and win every game," he said.
The coach also noted that the team plays not just for results, but to win the hearts of the fans through beautiful football. He reminded that there is no team that always wins, and defeats and draws are part of the game.
For AGMK, this draw could be a lesson. The team must learn to maintain their lead, keep concentration until the final minutes, and close out games confidently.
Overall, the AGMK vs Metallurg derby gave fans the emotions they needed: six goals, intrigue, a comeback, and a fight to the finish. The Cup has just begun, but the first round sent a clear signal—there will be no easy games in this tournament.
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
