Ruziqul Berdiyev discusses the draw in Andijan and the future of youth
The Uzbekistan Cup Matchday 2 fixture between Andijan and Nasaf ended in a 1-1 draw. In the first part of the post-match press conference, Nasaf head coach Ruziqul Berdiyev shared his thoughts on the game, team tactics, and the condition of certain players.
Berdiyev first highlighted the football atmosphere in Andijan. According to him, the stadium in this city always creates a unique, lively environment that gives players an extra boost. The coach indirectly acknowledged that playing in front of Andijan fans is not easy for any team.
"We always say this: an amazing atmosphere is created at the stadium in Andijan," said the Nasaf coach.
Speaking about the match, Berdiyev noted that both teams aimed to finish first in the group and advance to the next stage. Therefore, intense struggle, high passion, and serious competition were observed on the pitch. In his opinion, Nasaf players entered the field with a good understanding of the situation.
The Qarshi side was forced to play more on the back foot in this match. Berdiyev explained this decision by pointing out that Andijan has skilled, high-level players. For this reason, Nasaf focused on disciplined defending, repelling opponent attacks, and utilizing counter-attacks when opportunities arose.
The coach emphasized that, apart from one or two situations, the team defended well. The reliable performance of the goalkeeper and defenders allowed Nasaf to earn a point in a difficult away game. Berdiyev even felt that the team showed character and could have potentially snatched a win.
"After we scored, we had a bit of initiative. Despite that, it ended in a draw. I think it was a fair result for the game," he added.
At the press conference, a question was asked about whether Nasaf tried to hold onto the draw after scoring. Berdiyev admitted there was truth to that. He said that given the team's current squad and situation, and considering Andijan's strength, a draw in the second half was seen as a satisfactory result.
At the same time, the coach mentioned that tactical adjustments were made at the start of the second half. This change caused some discomfort for Andijan. As a result, Nasaf managed to score and created a few more chances. However, the hosts also attacked actively and created more dangerous situations.
Berdiyev also answered a question about why the foreign player Sokari is not being fielded. He said that the player suffered an injury after joining the team last year and underwent surgery on his leg. He has not yet fully recovered.
The coach said that the player himself knows he will not be offered a new contract. For this reason, the foreigner might be playing cautiously when he enters the pitch. This is understandable, as another injury could lead to a difficult situation for his future career.
"One can understand him, because if he gets injured again, he might not be needed by anyone," said Berdiyev.
The Nasaf coach also emphasized that one of the team's main goals is to give more opportunities to young players. He reminded that the bench in today's match consisted mainly of youth. Berdiyev believes that if they gain experience through match practice, it will become a great achievement for the team in the future.
In short, the draw between Andijan and Nasaf matched the cautious yet competitive nature of both teams. Berdiyev acknowledged the opponent's strength, appreciated his players' defensive efforts, and showed he would not deviate from the path of trusting youth. For Nasaf, this away point is not just a result, but a step forward in terms of character, tactical patience, and future development.
