Taif (TDI): Uzbekistan’s youth football team has won the AFC U-17 Final after defeating Saudi Arabia by 2-0.
The victory came after a tough match between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia on April 20, making Uzbekistan the champion of Asia for the second time in their U-17 history.
The match was played at the King Fahad Sports City in Taif, Saudi Arabia.
During the match, two Uzbek players, Nurbek Sarsenbayev and Miraziz Abdukarimo, received red cards in the first 45 minutes by a Qatari referee. The Uzbek team, left with only nine players, continued to play remarkably against the Saudi footballers.
Uzbekistan’s football team, under the supervision of Coach Islombek Ismoilov, scored 17 goals and conceded only 3.
During the championship, the Uzbek team played remarkably against countries such as Thailand, defeating them by 4-0, followed by a tough victory of 2-1 against China.
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In the semi-final round, they had played against UAE and North Korea, defeating them by 3-1, and 3-0 respectively.
This has been the second AFC U-17 title won by Uzbekistan, the first victory dated back to 2012, when Uzbek team had defeated Japan in the finals.
Several Uzbek players earned remarkable achievements during the game. Asilbek Aliyev was named the Top Scorer with 5 goals, Sadriddin Hasanov was recognized as the Player of the Tournament, and Nematullo Rustamjonov received the title of Best Goalkeeper during the match.
After the historic victory of young Uzbek football players, President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, issued a heartfelt congratulatory message, saying, “This unforgettable victory, achieved while down to nine men against a formidable host team, will be etched in the golden annals of Uzbek football. Your courage, determination, and fighting spirit symbolize the strength of the youth of New Uzbekistan.”
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He also appreciated the coaching staff and the families of players and highlighted the significance of Uzbekistan’s investment in the development of youth sports.
Furthermore, as a gesture of appreciation, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev awarded the Head Coach, Islombek Ismoilov, with the title “Honored Coach of Uzbekistan.”
All 23 players received the prestigious medal “Kelajak Bunyodkori” (Builder of the Future).
The entire football team was also gifted a car by the Government of Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan’s footballers would now represent their country at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is set to take place in Qatar, from November 3 to 27, 2025.
Javaria Khalid is a writer and researcher, who specializes in Pakistan's Foreign Policy Analysis, transatlantic geopolitics, and Pakistan’s relations with the European countries and the EU. She can be reached at javariakhalid011@outlook.com
