Full review of Uzbekistan NT key player Aziz Khaydarov's performances in Arabian Gulf League

Uzbekistan National Team’s key player Aziz Khaydarov is participating his sixth season in the Arabian Gulf League in the squad of Al-Shabab. He started his journey with Al Shabab on August 1, 2011, for the transfer fee of £298,000.

Season 2011-2012

He made a debut in the United Arab Emirates in the match against Al Wahda (2-1) with 90-minute full performance. During his first season in UAE, Khaydarov played in twenty-nine matches making two goals only and booking four yellow cards. According to the league’s final standings, Al Shabab secured bronze medals of Arabian Gulf League and became the runner-ups of the UAE League Cup losing the final match to Al Ahli in a penalty-shootout.

Season 2012-2013

In the next season in UAE, he helped Al-Shabab in 28 matches and gained four goals which were better results than last years'. But Khaydarov failed in tackling earning six yellow cards. After twenty-six fixtures of Arabian Gulf League, Al Shabab was named as the fifth team of the league table. In UAE League Cup, Al Shabab lost its opportunity to struggle for the championship in the match against FC Ajman with a score of 1-2 in semifinals.   

Season 2013-2014

The third season, he performed in twenty matches and managed to score three goals. Similarly, we booked five goals and one direct read card. In the match against Al Nasri, Aziz Khaydarov was shown a direct red card in 83 minutes and sent-off. It was the first direct card for Uzbekistan’s centre-back. At the end of this season, Al Shabab took the fourth place of Arabian Gulf League gathering 44 points while one point left to enter top three. But, UAE League cup was so unlucky for the team as it was recognized as the outsider after collecting only five points in six matches of the group stage.

Season 2014-2015

2014/2015 season was very successful for Aziz Khaydarov where he played in 25 matches and scored 5 goals. Also, in terms of played minutes, he broke his record as he spent 2157 minutes on the pitch. A midfielder finished the season with four yellow cards and a direct red card. In UAE League cup, the old scenario happened where Al Shabab was defeated by a penalty shootout in the semifinal match against Al Sharjah. But, they managed to get the third place of Arabian Gulf League and booked a ticket for 2016 AFC Champions League play-off stage.

Season 2015-2016

Uzbekistan national team’s key player helped AL Shabab in twenty-five matches or 2205 minutes on the field. Four goals were made by Khaydarov as he was shown seven yellows. At the beginning of 2016, Al Shabab lost to FC Bunyodkor (0-2) in play-off match was held in Tashkent. Also, they didn’t participate well in Arabian Gulf league staying on the fifth place of league table only. But, Al Shabab secured a silver medal of UAE League Cup.

Season 2016-2017

Khaydarov took part in 12 matches out of 13 fixtures of Arabian Gulf League in this season. He started nine games in the starting XI of Al Shabab where joined the team from the substitution bench in three games. Also, 31-year-old midfielder went into the field once in UAE League Cup and AFC Champions League respectively. Totally, he performed 1036 minutes on the field in all 14 games so far. But he is still failing to beat the rivals’ gate. Currently, Al Shabab is occupying on the seventh place of Arabian Gulf League collecting 20 points only. However, they reached semifinals of UAE League Cup. On December 9, 2016, Al Shabab will host Al Wasl in front of home crowd in semifinals.