LATEST NEWS - UFA

Group E: Uzbekistan 3-0 Hong Kong, China

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Group E: Uzbekistan 3-0 Hong Kong, China

Tashkent: Uzbekistan continued their fine form in the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, defeating Hong Kong, China 3-0 on Tuesday to seal early progression.

Eldor Shomurodov’s 40th international goal gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute at Bunyodkor Stadium before second-half goals from substitutes Khojimat Erkinov and Oston Urunov sealed the Uzbeks' third win in four Group E games.
 
Uzbekistan's spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals was confirmed following Islamic Republic of Iran's 1-0 win over Turkmenistan in the group's other tie, which also ensured they advanced. 

Preview - Group E: Uzbekistan v Hong Kong, China; Turkmenistan v IR Iran

Mon, 25 Mar, 2024

Preview - Group E: Uzbekistan v Hong Kong, China; Turkmenistan v IR Iran

Ashgabat: Islamic Republic of Iran will aim to confirm their place in the next stage when they face Turkmenistan in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group E match in Ashgabat on Tuesday.

Iran will go into the tie with confidence, having defeated Turkmenistan 5-0 on Thursday, but forward Mehdi Taremi has warned against complacency.

IR Iran, Uzbekistan set to book spots

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

IR Iran, Uzbekistan set to book spots

Hong Kong: Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan left themselves well placed to advance from Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with commanding wins on Thursday.

Iran defeated Turkmenistan 5-0 at the Azadi Stadium while Uzbekistan beat Hong Kong, China 2-0 to keep pace with the Central Asian side at the top of the standings, with both on seven points.

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei was pleased with the emphatic scoreline, given the limited time his side had to prepare for the tie.

Group E: Hong Kong, China 0-2 Uzbekistan

Thu, 21 Mar, 2024

Group E: Hong Kong, China 0-2 Uzbekistan

Hong Kong: Goals from Eldor Shomurodov and Rustamjon Ashurmatov earned Uzbekistan a 2-0 win over Hong Kong, China on Thursday to maintain their unbeaten start to the Preliminary Join Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Shomurodov and Ashurmatov scored in the 49th and 66th  minutes respectively at a sold-out Mongkok Stadium to earn Srecko Katanec’s side their second win in three games following a victory over Turkmenistan and a draw with the Islamic Republic of Iran in November.
 
The result moves the Central Asians onto seven points at the halfway stage in Group E and keeps them in a strong position to advance to the next phase of the preliminaries ahead of the return meeting with Jorn Andersen’s side in Tashkent on Tuesday.

Preview - Group E: Hong Kong, China v Uzbekistan; IR Iran v Turkmenistan

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

Preview - Group E: Hong Kong, China v Uzbekistan; IR Iran v Turkmenistan

Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan will welcome back star forward Eldor Shomurodov for the first of two matches against Hong Kong, China in Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The AS Roma player, currently on loan at Cagliari, missed the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ through injury but is available again to give Srecko Katanec more attacking options.

Having collected four points from their opening two matches, head coach Katanec is determined for Uzbekistan to collect maximum points from their double header with Hong Kong, China.  

Katanec: Uzbekistan capable of challenging Asia’s best

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

Katanec: Uzbekistan capable of challenging Asia’s best

Tashkent: Uzbekistan are aiming to carry their momentum from the recent AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ into the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The Central Asian side advanced to the quarter-finals at Qatar 2023 before losing on penalties to the hosts. 

Head coach Srecko Katanec, in a recent interview with the-AFC.com, said he is looking forward to the Qualifiers with Uzbekistan to play a double-header against Hong Kong, China with the Slovenian having called up 20 of the 26 players from the AFC Asian Cup squad. 

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal keep Persepolis at bay; Mumbai City scale summit

Mon, 18 Mar, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal keep Persepolis at bay; Mumbai City scale summit

Tehran:  Esteghlal remain in pole position in the Iran Pro League, maintaining their three-point lead over Persepolis.

In the Indian Super League, Mumbai City went top and FC Goa earned a qualification into the playoffs, while Neftchi Fergana took charge of the Uzbekistan Super League. 

In Turkmenistan, FC Ashgabat closed in on leaders FC Ahal, so join the-AFC.com as we recap all the past week's action from Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal, Persepolis tied at the top; Mohun Bagan earn playoffs berth

Mon, 11 Mar, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Esteghlal, Persepolis tied at the top; Mohun Bagan earn playoffs berth

New Delhi: Esteghlal and Persepolis won their respective matches to remain on top and second respectively while Sepahan suffered a shock defeat to 13th placed Paykan in the Iran Pro League.

In India, Mohun Bagan Super Giant won the Kolkata Derby to go top of the Indian Super League table and earn qualification into the playoffs, while in Uzbekistan, Neftchi Fergana are the pacesetters.  

Park proud of Korea Republic’s depth

Sun, 10 Mar, 2024

Park proud of Korea Republic’s depth

Tashkent: Head coach Park Youn-jeong was delighted to see her Korea Republic team performing to expectations in their 13-0 win over Uzbekistan on Saturday, which secured their place in the semi-finals of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024.

The emphatic win, which meant Korea Republic finished second behind Australia in Group A and in the process booked their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024 berth, was made even more impressive by the fact that Park opted to start without five key players - including star forward Jeon Yu-gyeong - at the JAR Stadium.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_womens_asian_cup/video/u20wac_|_group_a_|_uzbekistan_0_-_13_korea_republic.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_womens_asian_cup/photo/images_-_group_a_uzbekistan_v_korea_republic.html

Group A: Korea Republic advance in style

Sat, 09 Mar, 2024

Group A: Korea Republic advance in style

Tashkent: Korea Republic confirmed their spot in the semi-finals of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 with an impressive 13-0 win over Uzbekistan on Saturday.

The win also earned the East Asian side their ticket to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024, finishing second in Group A on six points behind Australia, who beat Chinese Taipei 3-0 for their third win of the campaign.