The head coach of the Uzbekistan national football team, Srecko Katanec, expressed optimism and readiness ahead of the anticipated quarterfinal match against Qatar in the Asian Cup. In a press conference on February 2, Katanec acknowledged the challenges but conveyed confidence in his players, stating,
"As in previous stages, a difficult match awaits us. I did everything possible to prepare my players well for this meeting. We believe in ourselves."
The coach praised the standout performance of 21-year-old midfielder Diyor Kholmatov in the previous match against Thailand.
Addressing concerns about player injuries, Katanec stated, "I haven’t met the team yet today. I hope they are doing well. In terms of injuries, almost nothing has changed. As for those who are sick, I hope that they will get better."
The coach emphasized that his primary objective is the "maximum preparation of the team" and highlighted the team's strengths, stating,
"We have qualities that the opponent should worry about... Tactics don't mean anything... The result depends on the players, their qualities, the chances created and other aspects."
With a tenure of 2.5 years with the team, Katanec expressed his belief in the players and their capabilities against Qatar. He stated,
"We have already reached a good position, we have not suffered defeats, we have conceded very few. They should worry about us as much as we worry about them."
In terms of approaching the game against the current champion and host, Qatar, midfielder Odiljon Hamrobekov acknowledged the challenges.
He noted, "They will play in front of their fans. They have experienced and talented players on their team. But our team and I are also ready to play... We will not have any difficulty playing football in a stadium full of fans. We are focused on achieving a good result."
Earlier Daryo reported that following the 1-1 draw between the Socceroos and Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup, Australian manager Graham Arnold praised Uzbekistan's dedication to the advancement of football. Arnold specifically noted the significant representation of local Uzbekistani players, with 15 out of 26 actively engaged in their domestic league.
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