Uzbekistan looking to build on fine qualifying form

Changzhou: Uzbekistan head coach Ravshan Khaydarov is confident that the exceptional form his side displayed in qualifying for this month’s AFC U23 Championship can be repeated when they begin their Group A campaign against Qatar at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Center on Tuesday.

The White Wolves topped their group during the July qualifiers thanks to successive victories over Lebanon, Nepal and then – crucially – the United Arab Emirates.

Having successfully guided his country to a third appearance at the continental tournament, the former Uzbekistan senior team coach is now understandably eager for the momentum on show in Al Ain to continue in China PR.

“It is only natural that we hope to continue the form we showed during the qualifiers,” Khaydarov told the-AFC.com.

“After the qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates my players have enjoyed six very good months or so with their respective teams and have gained even more experience.

“One or two aspects may have changed, but I am certainly looking to them to take the good form from our qualifiers into the Finals.”

Uzbekistan’s last outing at the AFC U23 Championship came two years ago in Qatar where they lost their opening two fixtures before defeating Yemen.

With Qatar - who finished fourth on home soil in 2016 - looming large on the horizon, as well as equally imposing games against host nation China and Oman to come, Khaydarov is more than aware of just how important a good start will be this time around if Uzbekistan are to harbour any genuine ambitions of claiming the title.

“The first game is always very important,” he explained.

“It is very important to prepare well for it and I think that my players are ready for the opening match. I hope that we can start the tournament in the way we want to.

“As coach, I believe we do have the potential to win the tournament, however this is football, and anything can happen.

“We can only try to do our very best during the tournament.”

Photos: AFC