Mirjalol Qosimov Reveals the Reason Behind the Defeat to Nasaf

OKMK head coach Mirjalol Qosimov attributed the 1–2 defeat to Nasaf not to his team’s overall performance, but to two decisive factors: missed chances and overly easy goals conceded to the opponent.

The coach believes that even if the Olmaliq side had converted just 10 percent of its chances, it would not have left the pitch defeated. However, Nasaf made maximum use of its limited opportunities and took three important points back to Qarshi.

“We conceded two goals far too easily”

One of the central matches of Matchday 15 in the Super League was scheduled to take place in Olmaliq on 3 August.

Nasaf took a two-goal lead through strikes from Bobur Abduxoliqov and Sharof Muhitdinov. Avazbek O‘lmasaliyev pulled one back for OKMK, but the hosts could not rescue a draw.

After the match, Mirjalol Qosimov first congratulated the opponents on their victory. However, he made no secret of his frustration that his team had conceded two goals from extremely simple situations.

“We work hard to score, but we conceded two goals very easily. We need to review the match,” said the OKMK coach.

That was the main contradiction in Qosimov’s assessment: the hosts worked hard to create scoring opportunities, while Nasaf punished their mistakes without having to make excessive efforts.

“If we had converted 10 percent of them, we would not have lost”

At the press conference, the coach was asked about OKMK’s lack of accuracy with its final efforts.

Qosimov responded with a very specific figure:

“If we had converted 10 percent of the chances we created, I think we would not have lost.”

This statement highlights OKMK’s main problem in the match. The team built attacks, reached the opponent’s penalty area and kept the fans hopeful until the end. But the outcome was decided not by the number of chances, but by how many were converted into goals.

Although a 10-percent figure is a hypothetical expression in football, Qosimov used it to stress that his team had created more than enough chances to avoid defeat.

Nasaf’s Five-Defender Formation Was No Surprise

OKMK’s coaching staff had anticipated the opponent’s tactical plan. Although Nasaf had played with four defenders in previous matches, Qosimov’s team had taken into account the possibility that they would face five defenders.

“We expected them to play against us with five defenders. We prepared accordingly,” the coach said.

Therefore, it is difficult to explain OKMK’s defeat by an unexpected formation from the opponent. The hosts expected Nasaf to pack the centre and quickly exploit open spaces.

The problem was not knowing the plan, but fully executing it on the pitch:

Even half-chances became goals

Qosimov described Nasaf as one of the country’s most experienced and high-quality teams. In his view, they do not need many chances: they can capitalize even on half an opportunity.

“Nasaf are also a good team. They have good players. If you give them chances like that, they can turn even half a chance into a goal.”

The match confirmed this assessment. Nasaf scored the opening goal in the eighth minute and shifted the game onto a favourable course. Their second goal in the 61st minute forced OKMK to attack with even greater risk.

The hosts pulled one back in the 70th minute, but the pressure they created afterwards was not enough to find a second goal.

OKMK’s Second-Half Performance Gave the Coach Hope

Despite the defeat, Qosimov noted positive aspects in his team’s performance. He was particularly pleased that the players fought until the end and kept the fans engaged until the final minutes.

“There are also positive things that make me happy — we are showing substance, fighting until the end and playing for the fans. The boys gave everything they could. I am grateful to them.”

OKMK played more offensively in the second half and managed to push the opponents closer to their own penalty area. Substitutions added fresh energy, the wing play became faster and one goal was pulled back.

However, the first-half mistakes could not be fully corrected through greater activity after the break.

There Was Substance, but No Points

Qosimov’s remark that “you do not always win by playing well” may be the shortest description of this match.

After previous games, the coach had also stressed that good football alone does not guarantee a result, while simple mistakes are punished by opponents.

For OKMK:

• there was attacking intent;

• scoring chances were created;

• character was shown in the second half;

• the fans remained hopeful until the end.

But none of this earns a point on its own. Nasaf were more efficient and turned two opponent mistakes into two goals.

The Gap in the Table Fell to One Point

After this result, Nasaf moved up to sixth place with 24 points. OKMK remained fourth with 25 points.

As a result, the gap between the two teams fell to just one point. Had Olmaliq won, they could have moved four points clear of Nasaf. Instead, the away victory brought the Qarshi side closer to the fight for the top positions.

For OKMK, this defeat means not only the loss of three points, but also allowing a direct rival to close the gap.

Qosimov’s Main Task

Two areas are expected to be priorities in OKMK’s upcoming training sessions:

first, finishing numerous attacks with accurate shots and goals;

second, reducing simple defensive mistakes that give opponents ready-made chances.

Qosimov said there is substance in his team’s play. Now that substance must be converted into points in the league table. Otherwise, defeats after good performances could prove costly in OKMK’s battle for the top positions.

In your opinion, what caused OKMK’s defeat more — imprecision in attack or simple defensive mistakes? Leave your opinion in the comments and share the article with sports fans on Telegram or other social networks!