Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: Former international defender Bakhtiyor Ashurmatov has been appointed head coach of Uzbekistan's U-23 national team, the UFF (Uzbekistan Football Federation) has confirmed.
Ashurmatov joins the Under 23s after just over a year at the helm of Navbahor Namagan and replaces Shukhrat Maqsudov, who was dismissed from the position following the King’s Cup in Thailand, where the Uzbeks hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons during a tempestuous clash with their counterparts from Korea Republic.
"We are really pleased that Ashurmatov has decided to join the Uzbekistan U-23 team,” UFF Vice-President Asqar Talipdjanov announced on the UFF’s official website.
"We are determined to see our team qualified for Rio Games with a long-term vision. We strongly believe Ashurmatov has the qualities to get the best out of our current squad and help us build and develop for the future."
An uncompromising defender who made over a half-century of appearances for the Uzbekistan national team, Ashurmatov has had a glittering playing career that has seen the 38-year win silverware at MSHK Tashkent, Dustlik, Pakhtakor and Bunyodkor, who he helped reach the semi-finals of the 2008 AFC Champions League.
"It is a great honour to manage one of the biggest teams in Uzbek football,” said Ashurmatov, pictured during a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Iraq.
"I can't wait to get started and I'm really looking forward to the challenge."
Uzbekistan have been drawn in Group E of the AFC U-23 Championship 2016 qualifiers, where they will face Syria, India and hosts Bangladesh in Dhaka.
Ashurmatov’s charges begin their campaign to reach next year’s finals in Qatar, which doubles as Asia’s qualifiers for the 2016 Olympics, on March 27 when they take on India.
Photo: AFP