Ravshan Khaydarov: We win for victims of the tragedy in Kazakhstan

Uzbekistan exhibited their strongest performance yet in the AFC U23 Championship China 2018 when they beat defending champions Japan 4-0 on Friday, and head coach Ravshan Khaydarov attributed the win to a plan well executed.

First half goals from Javokhir Sidikov, Jasurbek Yakhshiboev and Dostonbek Khamdamov gave Uzbekistan a comfortable lead before the break, and Yakshiboev struck again after the restart to seal a historic semi-final appearance for the White Wolves.

Khaydarov said his team were well prepared for Japan, having analysed them ahead of the game.

“In the first half, we played very well, because we knew how Japan would play with the ball and we tried to press them.

“The way we scored our first three goals was the way we planned during training.

“We followed the strategy we had prepared for Japan.”

A minute of silence was witnessed before the game, in memory of the Uzbek victims who perished in a bus crash in Kazakhstan, and Khaydarov admitted that it moved the players.

“Today’s win was for the families of the people who passed away yesterday.

“The tragedy in Kazakhstan did affect our players mentally, but the Uzbekistan Football Federation told us to give everything we have and play our best to bring cheer to our people.”

With the tournament moving to the crucial stages, Khaydarov admitted that his players are tiring but said the competition isn’t only tougher for his side but for all teams.

“At the moment, our players are really tired, but we have enough time before the next game to rest.

“And the next game in the semi-final is going to be even more difficult for the last four teams.”