Competing in the Asian Football Cup in Qatar, the Uzbekistan youth squad, comprised of players under 23 years old, clinched their Olympic berth by defeating the Indonesian team in the semi-finals.
The decisive match concluded with a 2-0 victory for Uzbekistan. Khusayin Norchaev netted a goal in the 68th minute, while an own goal by Indonesian defender Pratam Arhan in the 86th minute sealed the win. Adding to the Indonesian team’s challenge, defender Rizki Ridho was sent off in the 84th minute, leaving them shorthanded.
CSKA midfielder Abossbek Faizullaev represented Uzbekistan in the starting lineup, being substituted in the 90+1st minute, while Rubin midfielder Umarali Rakhmonaliev played the entire match.
Advancing to the tournament finals, Uzbekistan will face the winner of the Japan-Iraq clash. Their journey to the final of the Asian Youth Cup not only positions them as contenders for the Cup but also grants them their inaugural entry into the Olympic football tournament, slated to take place in Paris this summer.
