The Uzbekistan national team is fighting to qualify for the World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.
Timur Kapadze's debut as head coach, having taken over from Srechko Katanets, coincided with the seventh round of the third stage of the World Cup regional qualifying tournament.
The Uzbekistan national team hosted the Kyrgyz Republic players at the "Milliy" stadium and won with a single goal from Hojiakbar Alijonov. In fact, the score could have been larger. However, the actions of team captain Eldor Shomurodov were in vain.
The Italian press, which is also monitoring the international activities of the "Roma" striker, commented on the Uzbek legionnaire's performance in the national team as follows.
LAROMA24.IT:
At the "Milliy" stadium in Tashkent, during the seventh round of the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament, the Uzbekistan national team, led by captain Eldor Shomurodov, faced the Kyrgyzstan footballers.
The hosts won thanks to Alijonov's only goal.
In the middle of the first half, the Kyrgyz team was left with one player less. Referee Said Datsiyev showed a red card and awarded a penalty against the opponent. Eldor Shomurodov approached the spot. His shot was saved by the goalkeeper.
Despite the setback, the "Roma" center forward played the full match.
VOCEGIALLOROSSA.IT:
The next match in the qualifying tournament for the 2026 World Cup, which grants participation rights from the Asian region, was held between the national teams of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Roma club representative Eldor Shomurodov was active on the field for 90 minutes. However, the experienced striker failed to convert a penalty in the 26th minute.
After this victory, Uzbekistan increased its points total to 16, placing second in its group behind Iran.
SIAMOLAROMA.IT:
Eldor Shomurodov, who is successfully playing for "Roma," received a call-up from his national team.
The World Cup qualifying match between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan ended with a narrow victory for the Uzbeks.
The Roma club striker was one of the main characters of the match. However, he could not score from 11 meters in the 26th minute. Fortunately for the Uzbeks, Eldor's mistake did not cost the national team dearly.
It is worth noting that although Eldor Shomurodov could not convert the penalty accurately, he still managed to threaten the opponent's goal in the second half. However, the goal scored by Eldor was not counted because Abbosbek Fayzullayev, who participated in the attacking play, was in an offside position.
Now, representatives of the Uzbekistan national team will play their next match against the strongest opponent in the group, the Iranian footballers, on March 25.
