The Uzbekistan amputee team defeated Indonesia (8:1), Bangladesh (3:0), Nepal (13:0), and Iraq (4:1) in the group stage of the Asian Championship, and in the final, they scored 6 unanswered goals against Indonesia.
The resilient champions returned to Uzbekistan on the night of February 14. During the welcoming ceremony, Tribuna.uz also participated and was interested in the tournament participants' thoughts on the competition here.
Abdujamil Shukurov
— The competition was initially supposed to take place in India. For some reason, it was canceled. Winter came there, and it got cold. We needed an indoor field to prepare for the tournament. We found a field in Yangiyo‘l. The rest was handled by the Paralympics people. We stayed in a new hotel and held two training sessions in the cold. It wasn't easy: we went to Bangladesh, a country with 30 degrees of heat, but we got used to it. Since the preparation went as we wanted, we played calmly and won.
I can say that the match against the Iraq team was tougher. After defeating them, I felt at ease as a coach and a player.
I have been playing football for 35 years. During the gathering in Turkey, we had friendly matches against England and other teams. At that time, I didn't play and coached, and it was very difficult. It was easier to play. I had been a five-time world champion, and now I have also achieved the Asian championship. Now I can comfortably continue coaching.
Qudrat Xudoyqulov
— We took first place in the first Asian Championship. I was named the best player of the final and the tournament. We scored 33 goals and conceded 1. I congratulate the entire Uzbek nation on this victory.
Our main rivals in Asia were Iran and Iraq. The Iranians could not come due to some unfortunate incident. The most interesting match of the tournament was against Iraq.
Aziz Abdurahmonov
— The Asian Championship went beautifully. We prepared well for the competition. God willing, we will prepare for the world championship to be held next year.
Ulug‘bek Toshpo‘latov
— Winning the gold medal of the first Asian Championship is a great pride. The adults have been five-time world champions before. We are young swallows. God willing, we will also become champions five times.
Bekzod Habibullayev
— Everything is the result of hard work. We won the first Asian Championship. This trophy belongs to all of Uzbekistan.
