Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: Coach Jose Maria Pazos is expecting a much improved performance from hosts Uzbekistan against Central Asian rivals Kyrgyzstan in Matchday Two of the AFC Futsal Championship on Friday.
Davron Choriev bagged a brace in a 5-2 victory over Saudi Arabia in their Group A opener on Wednesday, but the home side got off to a sluggish start and were lucky to take a clean sheet into the interval before putting in a fine second half display.
And with Kyrgyzstan buoyed by their late equaliser in a 4-4 draw with Lebanon in their first Group A fixture, the stage is set for an exciting local derby in front of a packed Uzbekistan Stadium.
“It will be a very equal game because we know each other very well after playing in competitive and friendly matches every year,” said Pazos, whose side also played out a 2-2 draw with Kyrgyzstan in the continental competition in Vietnam two years ago.
“I expect my players to play better than we did in the first game because the nerves will be gone and we can reach our top level.
“It’s great to have all the fans supporting us in the stadium and I now want to go from less to more because if we want to reach our target we have to do better.”
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Three-time semi-finalists Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, took a 2-0 lead into the break against Lebanon, but needed a last-second goal from Maksadbek Alimov to gain a share of the spoils in an enthralling 4-4 tie.
“Against the host team we will be under pressure, so I’m hoping that we can play better,” said coach Andrey Polkhovskiy.
“The game will be tough, but all the games in this group are difficult. We’ll prepare well and I plan to surprise Uzbekistan with my tactics.”
Friday’s other Group A fixture, also at Uzbekistan Stadium, pits perennial quarter-finalists Lebanon against debutants Saudi Arabia with both teams looking to stay in the hunt for last eight qualification.
“I hope we can have more luck in the second half, but also reach our best level,” said Lebanon coach Francisco Araujo.
“The second game is usually one of the most important matches of any tournament so I want to win it and set us up for the game against Uzbekistan.”
And despite going into Matchday Two as the only pointless side in Group A, Saudi Arabia produced a spirited first ever game in the competition that could have yielded more had they converted a host of first-half chances.
“We need to improve in our attack because we had many sights on goal but we didn’t score, so that is a concern for us,” said coach Abdullah Al Rashoud.
“But if we continue this level of performance then I think we can finish second in the group.”
Photo: AFC