The first vice-president of the Uzbekistan Football Association, Ravshan Ermatov, held a meeting with the under-17 national team that won the Asian Championship. Coaches, players, and their parents also participated in the meeting.
Starting his speech with a request, Ermatov urged young footballers to learn from history, emphasizing that they should not repeat the mistakes made by previous players.
“I have just one request from you. We have a history, and there are the fates of footballers who have shown results in similar competitions. We have seen that at that time, when they qualified for the World Championship and showed good results, cars were given as gifts. However, some players got caught up in driving cars and making various friends, resulting in their training being neglected. Do not forget this: popularity has no friends. If you have such bad friends around you, get rid of them immediately,” Ermatov said.
He emphasized that the primary duty of an athlete is constant work and training. Their time should not be spent on any parties or excesses:
“We are athletes; we should not waste time. To achieve a goal, it is necessary to give up other things. Every minute is valuable; time passes quickly, and you must appreciate it.”
The first vice-president of the UFA stressed that only through good preparation can greater achievements be reached in the future:
“Sooner or later, you will become great footballers. You may even have your own planes, but even when you reach that level, keep your feet on the ground. Never be arrogant; it is essential to always maintain simplicity. Then God will open your paths. If you work diligently, following the tactics and advice given by your coach, you will never go astray. Show that you are mentally strong on the field, prepare for the next competitions with that spirit, and no one will be able to resist you,” Ermatov said.
It is worth noting that the Uzbekistan U-17 national team defeated the Saudi Arabia team 2-0 in the final of the Asian Championship, securing the main prize. It should be noted that two players from the team led by Islombek Ismoilov received red cards in the last minutes of the first half and left the field. Nevertheless, the young players demonstrated a strong will to win in the second half, managing to score two goals against the opponent's goal.
