Mirjalol Kasimov: "Another world has opened for me"

One of the legends of Uzbek football, Mirjalol Kasimov, who works as the head coach of the AGMK club, is actively preparing for the new season with the team under his command.

An experienced specialist held a training session with AGMK in Antalya, Turkey. Mirjalol Kasimov gave an interview for the Sports.uz site at the Antalya airport while returning from a trip.

- Mirjalol Koshokovich, how was the AGMK's camp in Antalya? Are you fed up with everything?

- First of all, thanks to the management. They created such conditions for us and gave us the opportunity to hold a training camp. Uzbeks have such a beautiful saying: when you see one thing, see a thousand and be thankful. I also told the players yesterday that our training camp in Antalya is over, and the championship is about to start. Here we worked on physical training. In addition, we worked on different styles by playing with sparring opponents. It is necessary to check in such gatherings. It can be different in football. When playing away, they prepare separately against the opposing team. There are 14 teams in the Super League, and all of them have their own style. We tried accordingly. Last year, when we held a training camp before our championship, there were injuries from the first days. First of all, human health comes first. Therefore, I am not indifferent to the health of my students. Before leaving Antalya, I held a small team meeting and said that everything went well. The result is not considered here. I said that everyone should pay attention to their health when they return to Tashkent. Because the climate is changing anyway, it's raining. All the hard work we have done here should not go to waste. If the players get a fever or catch a cold because of something trivial, they will go out of the regime. Coaches are not always fully satisfied. We prepared as much as possible. I congratulate our fans on the beginning of the new football season. We have many football fans. First of all, we play for the fans who come to the stadium. We want them to see beautiful and meaningful football. We always fight for victory, the rest is from God. I said that everyone should pay attention to their health when they return to Tashkent. Because the climate is changing anyway, it's raining. All the hard work we have done here should not go to waste. If the players get a fever or catch a cold because of something trivial, they will go out of the regime. Coaches are not always fully satisfied. We prepared as much as possible. I congratulate our fans on the beginning of the new football season. We have many football fans. First of all, we play for the fans who come to the stadium. We want them to see beautiful and meaningful football. We always fight for victory, the rest is from God. I said that everyone should pay attention to their health when they return to Tashkent. Because the climate is changing anyway, it's raining. All the hard work we have done here should not go to waste. If the players get a fever or catch a cold because of something trivial, they will go out of the regime. Coaches are not always fully satisfied. We prepared as much as possible. I congratulate our fans on the beginning of the new football season. We have many football fans. First of all, we play for the fans who come to the stadium. We want them to see beautiful and meaningful football. We always fight for victory, the rest is from God. If the players get a fever or catch a cold because of something trivial, they will go out of the regime. Coaches are not always fully satisfied. We prepared as much as possible. I congratulate our fans on the beginning of the new football season. We have many football fans. First of all, we play for the fans who come to the stadium. We want them to see beautiful and meaningful football. We always fight for victory, the rest is from God. If the players get a fever or catch a cold because of something trivial, they will go out of the regime. Coaches are not always fully satisfied. We prepared as much as possible. I congratulate our fans on the beginning of the new football season. We have many football fans. First of all, we play for the fans who come to the stadium. We want them to see beautiful and meaningful football. We always fight for victory, the rest is from God.

- Who are the favorites of the upcoming championship for you personally?

- For me? I've always said that the thing I hate the most is predictability. I never did that when I was playing. What Allah has foretold, that will be. But as always, we have great intentions. 14 teams have a chance. So I don't want to single anyone out.

- After you came to FC AGMK, the status of the club has increased significantly. Now many people have the following question: Can Mirjalal Kasimov fight for the championship with FC AGMK?

- Of course, not only with my arrival, the team has a role in this. The leaders who create conditions for us also have hard work. The team cannot be brought to the top in one year. Everything happens gradually. Sometimes it can be long. We always aim high. For example, last year we started the championship badly. Later on, after the middle of the first round, we even had a chance to get to 1st place. That is why I am saying that it is difficult to say anything in advance. No matter where I work, the most important thing is to make the fans happy. I did the same when I was playing football. It is important that fans who come to the stadium tired from work can enjoy and enjoy watching football. Even if I played in Russia, it would be a different atmosphere in that Caucasus. If we contribute even a little, we will be satisfied. 

- Yes, fans used to enter the stadium to watch you play.

- Of course.

- FC AGMK also made transfers. Tell me, would you say that we were able to make the transfers as we wanted? Or you didn't get a certain player you intended?

- No, not in targeting. It's like a lottery. There are players who know their team very well. Sometimes it is more difficult to adapt when it comes here. Once Zidane played, if I'm not mistaken, he moved from FC Juventus to FC Real. He is a top player and moved from top club to top club. Then, when he changed his team, he "wasn't seen" for 8 months. Last year we got Sia, Boake from FC Andijan. There is a difference between then and now. It happens that the player may not get used to his new club right away. How they will adapt will be seen during the championship. New environment, new mentality, everyone comes from different places. There are many interrelated situations in this situation.

- There were also those who left the club. For example, Alisher Jalilovfrom Tajikistan, Artyom Filiposyan. Why did you say goodbye to them?

- There was little game practice. There is such a thing as patience in football. There should be competition. The players who are ready on that day, at that moment, will play. If there is a better offer for us than the club, there is no problem, we will not hold back. Because our circumstances may not suit us and it may be a more convenient offer from another place.

- But I think that one of the best conditions is at FC AGMK...

- We don't have that much money. But it's up to us. He is probably among the 8th in terms of financial opportunities in our championship. Average.

- Who is the leader for you in this matter?

- I don't know other teams. I live only by looking at my pocket.

- Can we see Mirjalal Kasimov abroad as a coach? If it's not a secret, have you had any serious offers from abroad?

- Not to brag, once upon a time, from Russia, from Samara. Then I worked at "Bunyodkor". God is king to work abroad. But there is no place where I am deliberately preparing, learning the language, and preparing. I won't hide it. You will also need to prepare for working abroad.

- You have made great progress as a player. How much can you tell I'm growing as a coach?

- For example, another world has opened up for me. I answered for myself when I played. I tried to show football that the fans liked. I played with my whole body to win my team. Coaching is a different world. Whether you like it or not, now you have to answer for everyone. Managing a family is not easy. This is our family in football.

- There were changes in the structure of all clubs during the winter training. What was the transfer that caught your attention or surprised you?

- It's a tricky question. I don't answer to others. We have a saying: stretch your legs towards the blanket. That's why I have nothing to do with others, good luck to everyone. But now God willed that the players under my hand are with us and they are my students. Together with them, we will play good games and try to show football that pleases the fans. I never talk about someone's team. It's easy to talk from the outside. Anyone who has worked knows this.

- Who is the funniest and most serious player on your team?

- All of them. I do not single out one. If I bite one finger, the other will tingle.

- What do you expect from the new season?

- First of all, I wish everyone peace and health. Everyone saw the earthquakes in Turkey. May God protect our country from such disasters. God is kind. The events that happened in Turkey are very impressive. Therefore, let us thank God a thousand times that our country is peaceful. Let no one get sick. We will try our best. I always say: even if one fan comes to the stadium, we try to please that fan. We aim as high as possible. That's all. This has been the case wherever I work and play. We will see the rest at the end of the year. We see what God has written. It is impossible to predict in advance.