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The Asian Cup matches for players under 20 years old are ongoing in China. Recently, the match between Kyrgyzstan and China, which is in Group "A", took place. In this match, the host team China won 5:2 and secured a place in the next stage along with Australia. The Chinese national team is managed by Deyan Jurjevich, a specialist well-known to Uzbek football fans. It is important to note that the match commissioner was Uzbek Yoqubjon Sohibov. After losing to Australia 1:5 in the first round, it became clear that Kyrgyzstan would remain in the group along with Qatar. Kyrgyzstan - China 2:5 Goals: Umar Madaminov 25, Iriskeldi Madanov 64 - Ksiong Jizeng 13, Wang Yudong 45, Mao Veije 49, Zu Pengyu 80, 90+2. Kyrgyzstan: 1.Aziret Ismanaliyev, 2.Emir Khan Kidirshayev (4.Ivan Nastayev, 52), 5.Nasibulloh Alijanov (8.Baibol Ermekov, 76), 6.Atai Eshenkulov, 7.Kayrat Abdirasulov, 9.Argen Emilbekov (12.Emir Ernisov, 46), 10.Umar Madaminov (21.Muxtar Ishenaliyev, 52), 17.Artyom Istrashkin, 19.Iriskeldi Madanov (15.Daniel Omarov, 85), 20.Sardorbek Nematov, 23.Beknaz Almazbekov. Head coach: Sergey Puchkov (Ukraine). China: 1.Liu Kivei, 3.Xe Yiran, 4.Shi Songchen, 5.Peng Ksiyao, 6.Yimulan Maimati (13.Ksiong Jizeng, 78), 7.Mao Veije (16.Zang Ziksiong, 78), 8.Chen Zeshi, 9.Liu Chengyu (14.Wang Yifan, 67), 10.Kuai Jiven (18.Zu Pengyu, 67), 11.Wang Yudong (17.Chen Shixan, 83), 23.Yang Ksi. Head coach: Deyan Jurjevich (Serbia). Warnings: Umar Madaminov 24, Artyom Istrashkin 30, Emir Khan Kidirshayev 44, Yang Ksi 62, Liu Chengyu 64, Atai Eshenkulov 69, Yimulan Maimati 76, Emir Ernisov 82, Wang Yifan 83. Red card: Artyom Istrashkin 47 (2SK). Recently, the match between Qatar and Australia, also from Group "A", took place. In this match, Australia won 3:1. In the first round, Australia defeated Kyrgyzstan 5:1, while Qatar lost to China 1:2 in their first match. U-20 Asian Cup, Group "A", Round 2 Qatar - Australia 1:3 Goals: Muhammad Gouda 19 - Aleks Badolato 24, Din Bosnyak 52, Daniel Benniye 69. Qatar: 1.Abubakar Yaxyo, 2.Ayub Al Ouvi, 4.Abdulla Al Otaibi (13.Yusuf Muhammad Al Nizami, 46), 5.Ali Shahabi, 6.Bassam Odil Eyd (8.Muaz Taxa, 73), 7.Tahsin Jamshid (17.Nurildin Ibrohim, 71), 9.Muhammad Gouda, 10.Ibrohim Al Hassan, 11.Yunus Muhammad (3.Motaman Muhammad, 71), 15.Abdulaziz Jafari (12.Fayiz Al Farsi, 59), 16.Muhammad Xani Faragalla. Head coach: Feliks Anxel (Spain). Australia: 1.Stiven Hall, 2.Joshua Insera, 3.Sebastyan Esposito, 4.Panayotis Kikianis, 6.Pol Okon Engstler (20.Luis Agosti, 82), 9.Luka Yovanovich (19.Musa Ture 62), 10.Aleks Badolato (15.Jaylan Pirman, 82), 11.Tiago Kuintal (7.Daniel Benniye, 63), 14.Zak Lisolayski, 17.Frans Deli, 21.Din Bosnyak (23.Adam Bugariya, 62). Head coach: Trevor Morgan (Australia).

On February 27, a professional boxing evening will take place at the Centro Deportivo San Pablo sports complex in Seville, Spain. It is expected that skilled boxers from various countries will showcase their talents that night. In this boxing event, Uzbekistan will be represented by Abdumalik Xalokov, the winner of the Paris-2024 Olympics in the lightweight category. The 24-year-old experienced boxer will step into the ring for his second professional fight. Xalokov's next opponent is Venezuelan Marlembron Akunya. The fight will consist of 6 rounds and is expected to be an important test for both boxers. Marlembron Akunya is an experienced boxer. He has participated in 25 professional fights so far, achieving 13 wins, 11 losses, and 1 draw. Both athletes will undoubtedly enter the ring with big goals, so fans can expect an intense and uncompromising fight. Abdumalik Xalokov had his first professional fight last year and aims to achieve significant success in this field. This fight will be one of the important stages that will define his future opportunities. Uzbek boxing fans have great confidence in the young and talented boxer. It is certain that they will follow his fight with great excitement and interest. The boxing evening in Seville on February 27 is expected to generate significant interest and provide fans with bright impressions.

Today, in the English Premier League, "Manchester City" will face "Newcastle United" at home. The "Citizens" head coach Pep Guardiola has included young defender Abduqodir Husanov in the starting lineup for this match. He will partner with experienced player John Stones in the center of defense. Guardiola's team is playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ederson will guard the goal, while the defense line consists of Rico Lewis, Abduqodir Husanov, John Stones, and Joško Gvardiol. In midfield, N. Gonsales, Ilkay Gündogan, Phil Foden, Omar Marmush, and Savinyo are positioned. In the attack line, Erling Haaland will strive to bring victory to his team. "Newcastle United," on the other hand, will play in a 4-3-3 formation. Their goal will be guarded by Martin Dubravka, and the defense line will consist of Lewis Hall, Dan Burn, Fabian Schär, and Kieran Trippier. In midfield, there are Joe Willock, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimarães. The attack line will feature Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak, and Jacob Murphy. Substitute players: On the "Manchester City" side, the substitutes include Mateo Kovačić, Jérémie Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Stefan Ortega, Bernardo Silva, Vitor Reis, Mateus Nunes, Niko O'Reilly, and James McAtee. The substitutes for "Newcastle United" are Callum Wilson, Harvey Barnes, Matt Targett, Emil Krafth, William Osula, Tino Livramento, Nick Pope, Sean Longstaff, and Lewis Miley. The match will take place at the "Etihad" stadium and will start at 20:00 Tashkent time.

Currently, most teams in our Super League are holding training camps for the new season in Antalya, Turkey. Every day, some of our clubs are conducting their friendly matches. Navoi's "Qizilqum" club played a friendly match against Georgia's "Samgurali" team yesterday, which ended in a 0:0 draw. We noticed that the head coach of the opposing team is Italian Rodolfo Vanoli. Upon inquiry, we found out that he is the brother of Paolo Vanoli, the head coach of the "Torino" club currently participating in Italy's Serie A. During the match, we informed a club representative that we would like to have a brief conversation with the coach after the game. After the match, 62-year-old Vanoli agreed to our request. During the conversation, the coach spoke in Italian and translated his words into English and Russian translated. - First of all, could you share your impressions of the game? - First of all, we are very happy. Because we played against a good team. We still couldn't fully shape our team. Players were missing. But today, our young players were able to make a difference in the game. - What do you know about Uzbek football? - We know that football is developing widely in Uzbekistan. A significant amount of investment is being made. We are pleased with this. Uzbek players are also playing successfully abroad. We wish them to continue striving forward. - You must know our compatriot Eldor Shomurodov who plays in Italy's Serie A? - Eldor Shomurodov is a very good and important player. He has been playing in Italy's Serie A for many years. My brother is the head coach of the "Torino" club. He has also spoken warmly about Shomurodov, and I know Eldor through my brother. - What are your thoughts on "Qizilqum," the team you played against? - They have a good team and a good coach. If the field had been better, would it have been an even better game?! This match was beneficial for both teams, and I wish them good luck in the championship.

Photo: Getty images MANChESTER CITY – NEWCASTLE (February 15, 20:00) After Chelsi lost in Brighton yesterday, it can be said that a new opportunity has arisen for the contenders for the top four. With 41 points collected, these two rivals occupying the 4th and 5th places are likely to finish the round in 4th place if one of them wins. A draw could elevate Bournemouth into the top four. It is natural that Manchester City will try to rectify the situation after the unfortunate game against Real. Although it seemed that Manchester City had finally come out of the crisis after the victories at the beginning of the year, this was likely due to an easier schedule, as old problems are becoming apparent in matches against stronger opponents. Both against Arsenal and Real, chances were given, and ahead, apart from Newcastle, there are also matches against Real in the return leg, as well as encounters with Liverpool and Tottenham in the next three days. Another factor that increases the guests' chances is that Newcastle is not participating in European competitions this season, meaning they have more time to prepare for the matches, which is a significant factor for Eddie Howe's style. As mentioned above, Manchester City participated in a tough match against Real three days ago. The game took a toll on the players' physical strength, with players like Grealish and Akanji leaving the field early due to injuries, and they will miss the match against Real as well. By the way, Akanji's injury could increase the chances of our compatriot Abduqodir Husanov to be in the starting lineup. The team has only four defenders, and Pep Guardiola is forced to think about the upcoming Champions League match next week. In this regard, there is a possibility that Husanov will be tested on the right side where Akanji played against Real. After all, Husanov has shown himself in this position at Lens. Additionally, a variant with three central defenders could be tried by placing Nunez on the right side – in that case, Husanov has significant experience as a right central defender. As for Newcastle, the biggest loss for Eddie Howe's squad is Joalinton's inability to play. The player, who has a place in the center of the field, will not be able to assist his teammates for at least another month. It should also be noted that Newcastle has performed better away than at home this season. The team has only shown worse results than the top three in away matches. Interestingly, City performs better at home – Pep's disciples are only behind that trio in this regard. The first round match ended in a 1:1 draw. However, the situation for the guests in matches at the Etihad is very poor – Newcastle last won in Manchester 25 years ago in Premier League matches. Considering that City was an average team before falling into the hands of the sheikhs, this is very interesting. The last draw was recorded in 2006. In the last 16 home matches, Manchester City has only won, and in the last 6 matches, the guests have not been able to score a single goal. LAZIO – NAPOLI (February 15, 22:00) Inter's defeat in the postponed match gave Napoli the opportunity to maintain their lead, but it is worth noting that Conte's disciples have also recorded draws in their last two matches. The European Cup matches are now coming to a peak, which will benefit the Neapolitans, as the team is not participating in any competition other than Serie A. Naturally, this serves as a key factor in gaining an advantage over Inter and Atalanta. For this, Napoli must first secure victories in their matches. This will not be easy, as Lazio has become quite an uncomfortable opponent for Napoli in recent years. In the last five encounters, the Romans have won 4 times, and one match ended in a draw. In the first round match, Lazio became the owner of three points at home thanks to Isaksen's goal, while two months ago, in the country cup match, Lazio won 3:1 at home, eliminating their opponent from the competition. Regarding injuries, the hosts will be without Evra and Vecino. Additionally, Hysaj, who once played for Napoli for five years, is also out until the end of this month. Antonio Conte will not be able to rely on the help of Leonardo Spinazzola, Matias Olivera, and David Neres. All three players are likely to fully recover by the beginning of next month. If we talk about styles, we can be sure that the teams are somewhat opposite to each other. For example, Napoli's current leadership is more related to reliable defense. This is a characteristic feature of all the teams managed by Antonio Conte. The team has conceded the fewest goals in the league, and the number of matches finished without conceding is also the highest – 12. In contrast, the Romans can boast more of their attacking statistics. Lazio ranks among the top three in Serie A for created chances and dangerous situations. For example, in terms of accurate shots on goal, Lazio is only behind Atalanta, Inter, and Milan, while Napoli is not even in the top ten in this regard. Players like Lukaku and McTominay mainly create situations. BAYER – BAYERN (February 15, 22:30) Last February, the teams clashed in Leverkusen, and that match clarified the championship issue. However, the teams' conditions were the opposite of today. Back then, Bayer was leaving Bayern behind by a large margin, and after a 3:0 victory, the gap increased, and it became clear that the Munich side had almost no chance. Currently, Bayern is ahead by 8 points, and if they win this match, the gap will increase to 11 points, making it almost impossible for the hosts to catch up with their opponent. If Bayer wins and reduces the gap to 5 points, it can be assumed that the entire intrigue is still ahead. We say Bayern will win, but it should be noted that defeating Bayer has become almost impossible in Germany. Alonso's team finished last season undefeated, and this season they have only lost once to Leipzig. Currently, the team's unbeaten streak consists of 19 matches. Indeed, the number of draws is also quite high, seven, and this factor has led to a significant gap with Bayern. Even in head-to-head matches, we can see a clear advantage for Leverkusen during Alonso's tenure – three victories and two draws in the last five matches. Both the first round and last season's matches in Munich ended in draws. Additionally, these teams also faced each other in the German Cup in December. This time, Bayer won 1:0 away. It should also be noted that the hosts played with one player less from the 17th minute. Manuel Neuer was sent off. As mentioned above, Bayer's streak is impressive, but Bayern must also be acknowledged for being in good form in recent matches. The team has won its last five matches across all competitions, and in the Bundesliga, they have won five consecutive matches. However, it can be said that this time they may face physical problems compared to their opponent. Since Bayer qualified for the Champions League knockout stage, they avoided the playoffs, while Bayern had to play against Celtic. Although the Germans won in Scotland, it should be noted that the match was dominated by the hosts, and it was not easy for Kompany's disciples. TOTTENHAM – MANCHESTER UNITED (February 16, 21:30) This is a clash between two teams that belong to the top clubs in England but are currently closer to positions that could drop them into the Championship rather than the European Cup zone. However, it should be noted that the teams have arrived at this situation due to various reasons and factors. Manchester United is suffering due to a mid-season coaching change, especially since Amorim has a completely opposite style compared to his predecessor. The players' adaptation to the new system is leading to painful results, and this could continue until the end of the season. Tottenham's problems are more related to injuries. There have been times when the entire defensive line, starting from the goalkeeper, was absent, and Tottenham even had to buy a goalkeeper mid-season and immediately put him on the field. In some ways, this season's Tottenham's problems remind us of last season's Manchester United, and it is highly likely that the Londoners will also struggle until the end of the season. The reason is that all the problems seem to be linked to losses in the squad, indeed they are, but even when everyone recovers and the squad reaches optimal shape, the game may not improve. Because players who have played without substitutions during the main part of the season and sometimes filled in positions that were not their own will tire by the end of the season, leading to more problems. Tottenham and MU will meet for the third time this season. In the Premier League match at Old Trafford, the guests won convincingly with a score of 3:0. In November, the teams clashed in the quarter-finals of the League Cup. The match in London ended with the hosts winning 4:3. However, it should be noted that this time the Manchester side put up a much more worthy fight, but the score was shaped due to gross mistakes by both defenses, especially the goalkeepers. Overall, MU could not defeat Tottenham last season either – the hosts won 2:0 in London, while the match at Old Trafford ended in a draw. Regarding injuries, Postecoglou announced that players like Vicario, Maddison, and Udogie have returned. However, it is questionable how ready these players are to take the field from the first minutes. From the guests, Lisandro Martinez's injury turned out to be serious, and he may not even return to the field until 2025. Additionally, Ruben Amorim mentioned in a press conference that some players picked up minor injuries during the week, and some others fell ill. However, it is not clear which players they are. According to the latest information, considering that 18-year-old player Chido Obi has also been training with the first team, it can be assumed that there is a problem with one of the attackers. It is also interesting to watch Matyuz Tel, who is on loan from Bayern, in this match. The young striker may move to MU in January, and there were even reports that Tel himself chose Manchester over Tottenham. However, after the parties could not agree on financial matters, the player ended up wearing the Tottenham jersey. He has appeared in recent matches and even managed to score against Aston Villa. It will be interesting to see how Tel showcases himself to the MU leaders. JUVENTUS – INTER (February 17, 00:45) This season, it can be said without a doubt that one of the most memorable and interesting matches in Serie A was the first-round encounter between these teams in Milan. The score itself proves this – 4:4. Both teams took the lead at different times, both had the chance to secure a decisive victory, and both could have scored even more goals in this combative clash that ultimately ended in a draw. Of course, at that time, Juventus had not yet fallen victim to the draw epidemic, and the score in the match against Inter undoubtedly satisfied the fans. Since then, the Turin team has continued their unbeaten streak, currently, Motta's disciples have only one defeat, but they also have 13 unnecessary draws, which currently keeps Juventus as a contender for the top four. This round is interesting in that two teams competing for the championship are also fighting for a place in the top four. In these two matches, the four main football cities of Italy – Turin, Naples, Rome, and Milan – will clash. From every angle, this is one of the most interesting rounds of the season. Looking at the matches before the above draw, we can see Inter's dominance lately – 2 wins and 3 draws in the last 5 matches. The last two encounters in Turin ended in draws, both 1:1. If we look at Juventus's home match statistics this season, you will notice that the Turin team has not lost even once, while Inter has been unmatched in away matches – 8 wins and 1 loss in 12 matches. Regarding injuries, the hosts have more losses. Douglas Luiz and Pierre Kalulu are expected to return around the beginning of March. Kabai and Bremer are out for the rest of the season. The guests have no losses at all. Among the additional intrigues, it is worth noting that Thiago Motta, who once won the Champions League as a player for Inter, will face his former team as a coach, and Kolo Muani should also be closely watched. The French striker has scored 5 goals in three Serie A matches since joining on loan from Paris. Another aspect we should always pay special attention to is that Juventus played a tough Champions League playoff match against PSV in the middle of the week and expended a lot of energy. Meanwhile, Inter had the opportunity to rest and prepare for the Italian Clasico. By the way, if Juventus manages to eliminate the Dutch team and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the probability of facing Inter in that stage is fifty percent. It is certain that Juventus will face either Inter or Arsenal. OTHER MATCHES February 15. Leicester – ARSENAL (17:30), ATALANTA – Cagliari (19:00), Bochum – BORUSSIA D (19:30), ASTON VILLA – Ipswich (20:00), Osasuna – REAL (20:15), ATLETICO – Celta (22:30), MILAN – Verona (February 16, 00:45), Toulouse – PSG (February 16, 01:05) February 16. LIVERPOOL – Wolverhampton (19:00), Parma – ROMA (22:00) February 17. BARCELONA – Rayo Vallecano (February 18, 01:00). Source: Kun.uz

The current champion of Uzbekistan – “Nasaf” played against the representative of the Russian Premier League “Fakel” in a friendly match yesterday in Antalya. We provided information through our website that the sharply contested game ended with a score of 0:0. After the match, “Nasaf” head coach Roʻziqul Berdiyev gave an interview said. - Did you achieve what you aimed for in the game against “Fakel” or were you not satisfied with something? - For now, you cannot feel complete satisfaction. Because the quality of the game is not at the level we expected. The training sessions are still ongoing. There are strong loads being given. For this reason, they are moving a bit heavier. Nevertheless, we are focusing on the organizational aspects of the game and conducting our matches. I believe that through the games, the guys will get into the necessary sports shape. - You have brought back former players to the team and new players have also appeared. How is the adaptation of the new guys going? For example, what would you say about Rubin Khebay? - Of course, I want to mention Khebay, he did not play consistently for a year. It was the same when he went to Saudi Arabia and in Tunisia. Therefore, his condition is not at the level we expected. However, he is working well in training. I believe Rubin will get into good shape. I can also say the same about Khusayn Norchayev, he is not in optimal shape yet due to injuries and participating in fewer training sessions. I hope that everything will return to normal by the time of our championship. - How is Dragan Cheran doing? - Dragan is not a stranger to us. “Nasaf” is not a stranger to him either. It would be incorrect to say that the guys did not accept him. Cheran is a “Nasaf” player. We certainly rely on Dragan's experience. His potential on the field and assistance to the coaches will be needed at times. - We thought Bobir Abduholiqov would stay at “Nasaf”. What was your reaction to his departure? What actually happened? - Bobir's results last year did not satisfy the club management much. Since his demands were high, we could not provide an opportunity. To keep Abduholiqov, we made a lower offer than last year. However, according to what he told us, there were offers from abroad. But I heard that he has joined the training sessions of “Neftchi”. Through you, we would like to express our gratitude to Bobir and other players who have left us. The guys helped us achieve our goals last year. - The new season is on the horizon. “Nasaf” is expecting serious goals again. Moreover, there will now be 16 clubs participating in the league. What are the new plans? - Our plan is huge. We will definitely set a goal for ourselves. We have almost retained our squad and the management has provided opportunities for us to acquire the necessary players. Our goal will be serious. We need to quickly regain stability in our championship. We must make maximum efforts in every game. The tasks ahead of us are high, and we will definitely fight for this.

Our Uzbekistan national team head coach Timur Kapadze is currently in Antalya. Here, several Super League clubs are holding training camps for the new season. Yesterday, we had a brief conversation with Kapadze, who came to watch the match involving "Andijan". - What is your goal for the trip to Antalya? - You know, our clubs are currently preparing for the new season in Antalya. I came to see them. I am observing the training processes and talking to the coaches about the players' situations. I am also watching and selecting players myself. I understand that the teams and players are not at their maximum form right now. Almost every day, two or three of our teams are playing. I try to attend each match, see how they are doing, and ask the coaches the questions I am interested in. - Recently, you returned from a training camp in Qatar as our national team coach. How did you start your work with the main team? - As you saw, everything happened quickly. The time was tight. My first task was to analyze. We assessed the players called up for the camp based on our established criteria. You know, our main matches are in March. This camp was beneficial for me. Because we have time to get started and make adjustments, and if we need to add something, we will do that too. Overall, it was beneficial for me. Everything is in place. I am not a new person for our national team. I have seen and observed the camps. - You kept Katanes' assistant coaches in your staff. Was this your decision? - It was my decision. They have been working with the national team for a long time. They had already prepared programs for training before the Qatar camp. During the camp, I talked to them, asking questions about how and what. Because I thought about the main matches in March, and we will have little time to make changes. The coaches in the national team have also worked hard. I understood their wishes as well. I spoke with the players, and I saw for myself. Since almost everyone was in place, I made that decision. - Abduqodir Husanov's transfer to Manchester City is beneficial for our national team. What can you say as his coach? - I was very happy; it’s great. Everyone was excited. I believe that the invitation of an Uzbek player by one of the best clubs in the world, and even being called by Guardiola himself, is a testament to Abduqodir's value. I think this is just the beginning. Husanov has enough potential. They didn't take him for nothing. I believe it is a significant plus for our football as well. I am hearing from agents or acquaintances that other talented young Uzbeks are being noticed in England. This is great for publicity. Abduqodir has opened the way for the upcoming young players.

The Uzbekistan national team has a very good chance to qualify for the most prestigious tournament in the football world – the World Cup for the first time in its history it has been noted. The tournament, hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, sees our compatriots currently in second place in the third stage of the qualifying tournament. According to the rules, the top two teams among the six national teams in this stage will directly qualify for the World Cup. CSKA player Abbosbek Fayzullayev assessed the chances of our national team qualifying for the World Cup. - The Uzbekistan national team has a very good chance to qualify for the World Cup. There are four games left in the decisive stage of the qualifiers: two away and two at home. The team is organized, all the guys are good. There is a balance of youth and experienced players in the squad. This gives the team even more strength, as the experienced players always provide advice and support to us young ones. This is a significant plus for us. We young players learn a lot from the older ones. Even though Abduqodir Husanov is playing for Manchester City and I am playing for CSKA, there are things we learn from the older players. Because we are young, we need to learn many things. May we qualify for the World Cup and fulfill the dreams of our people, - said Abbosbek Fayzullayev. Indeed, the Uzbekistan national team is competing against five national teams in the first group of the regional qualifying tournament for the World Cup. So far, our compatriots have defeated North Korea twice with the same score of 1:0, Kyrgyzstan 3:2, and the United Arab Emirates 1:0, while drawing goalless with Iran in Tashkent, and only lost once away to Qatar with a score of 2:3. Our players have accumulated a total of 13 points and are currently in second place in the group. Now the Uzbekistan national team must participate in four more matches under the new head coach Timur Kapadze. Specifically, our compatriots will play the first of the remaining matches against the Kyrgyz national team in Tashkent on March 20, and five days later, they will face group leader Iran in Tehran. The last two matches are scheduled for June. In those, on June 5, our national team will play in the United Arab Emirates. This stage of the qualifying tournament will conclude with a match against Qatar in our capital on June 10.

“Manchester City” head coach Josep Guardiola is facing a serious problem in team selection. One of the team's key defenders, Manuel Akanji, suffered a serious injury during the first match against “Real” in the UEFA Champions League playoff stage. The 29-year-old player will now undergo surgery. He will not be able to assist the team for at least 10 weeks. During this period, the “Citizens” are scheduled to play several important matches. Many fans are curious about who will take Akanji's place. In particular, journalists also asked Josep Guardiola about this. Among the candidates, the name of Abduqodir Husanov is also mentioned. Sports.uz portal presents the opinions expressed by “Manchester City” head coach Josep Guardiola and the team's ardent fans regarding this issue to Uzbek football enthusiasts. Josep Guardiola: Can our two new defenders – Abduqodir Husanov and Vitor Reis help “Manchester City” when needed? They are considered central defenders. We are playing Manuel Akanji in the right-back position. New players may lack stability in this position. But still, someone has to play. I have Rico Lewis available, and there is Mateus Nunes as well. We do not yet know if Abduqodir Husanov can play effectively in this position and help us. It will depend on the playing style we choose, how we attack, and our defensive tactics. We will study this issue further. Rik: I hope we won't miss Akanji too much. Recently, this defender has been making many mistakes. Eventually, he had to give way to other players. Now, during his recovery, he will have time to think about how to return to a high level. MU: We wish Akanji good health. He was regularly taking a place in the starting lineup. If John Stones is healthy, he should move to the central defensive midfielder position. Because Mateo Kovacic is not fulfilling his role in our team, which is playing quite loosely. I think from now on, Rico Lewis and Abduqodir Husanov will compete with each other for a stable place in the starting lineup. James: Akanji's absence presents a new opportunity for the incoming defenders to enter the starting lineup. With John Stones' return, the deficiencies in defense will be resolved. I want to see Guardiola, Dias, Reis, and Husanov in the center of defense. Above them, John Stones should play. We remind you that “Manchester City” is currently competing in the English Premier League to secure a spot in the top four and is also continuing its participation in important competitions such as the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup.

Tonight, an important match between "Manchester City" and "Newcastle United" will take place in the English Premier League. The game will start at 20:00 Tashkent time at the "Etihad" stadium. According to analyses, the home team "Manchester City" has a 46 percent chance of winning. Meanwhile, "Newcastle" is assessed to have a 30 percent chance. The probability of the game ending in a draw is 24 percent. In recent years, "Manchester City" has been performing strongly at home and is considered the favorite. However, "Newcastle" is also in good form and has experienced players. This gives the visiting team a chance to achieve an unexpected result. Football experts emphasize that this match will be crucial for the championship leadership. If "Manchester City" wins, they will continue to lead in points accumulation. For "Newcastle," a win or draw will help solidify their position against strong rivals.

The leadership of the Uzbekistan Football Association and the Uzbekistan Futsal Federation held a ceremony to introduce the "Strategy for the Development of Futsal in Uzbekistan for 2025-2028" and the new head coaches of our country's futsal national teams. During the event, Nodir Eliboyev was announced as the head coach of the Uzbekistan national futsal team. Brazilian Maurisio Teixeira was appointed as the physical training coach. The event also introduced the coaches of the Uzbekistan women's and youth futsal teams: Farrukh Zokirov — head coach of the Uzbekistan women's team. Konstantin Sviridov — head coach of the Uzbekistan youth team. Dilshod Rahmatov — head coach of the Uzbekistan junior team.

In the final minutes of the playoff match between "Manchester City" and "Real Madrid," the visitors scored a third goal, leading to a 2:3 defeat for the Manchester team. In the closing moments, there was fierce competition for the ball and emotions were fully displayed, but "Real Madrid's" tactical solutions and precise calculations exposed the weaknesses in Manchester's defense. In the second half of the match, a serious situation arose in the defensive line. As reported by renowned insider Fabrizio Romano, Manchester's defender Manuel Akanji was injured and taken off the field. According to initial examination results, the Swiss defender is expected to be out for approximately 8-10 weeks. This injury may not only limit the club's mobility but could also negatively impact the overall stability of the defensive system. The 29-year-old fullback has participated in 30 matches for Manchester this season and has provided 1 assist. His contract with the club runs until 2027, and according to evaluations on the "Transfermarkt" portal, his market value is estimated at 40 million euros. This information further solidifies Akanji's importance to the team and the role expected of him. Manuel Akanji's injury poses a serious threat to Manchester's defensive system. In upcoming matches, there may be a need to find a replacement for him or to reconsider tactics. The club management must closely monitor this situation and take precautionary measures in future negotiations and tactical preparations. This playoff match once again demonstrated how complex and dynamic competition on the football field can be. "Real Madrid's" successful solutions and several unexpected situations behind the Manchester team could have a significant impact on the club's future strategy. Football fans and experts are closely watching this process, eagerly awaiting the steps Manchester will take in their upcoming negotiations.

Photo: UFA The times and locations of the matches of the Uzbekistan national team in the qualifiers for the World Cup 2026 against Kyrgyz Republic and Iran have been announced by the AFC. In connection with the month of Ramadan, UFA had sent a request to the AFC to change the match time for the convenience of fans. The request was granted, and the Uzbekistan - Kyrgyz Republic match has been moved to March 20 at 21:00 Tashkent time. Additionally, the away match against Iran on March 25 is scheduled to be held at the "Ozodi" stadium at 21:00 Tashkent time.

The Uzbekistan U-17 national team, led by Islam Ismoilov, competed against the Czech Republic in the U-17 Antalya Youth Cup tournament. In this match, the Uzbek players left their Czech counterparts behind with a score of 3:1. U-17 Antalya Youth Cup Czech Republic – Uzbekistan 1:3 "Amirxon" sports complex Goals: Petr Potmesil penalty 54' – Sayfiddin Sodiqov 15', Abubakr Shukrullayev 61', Jamshidbek Rustamov 65' Uzbekistan: Ne'matulloh Rustamjonov, Hojiakbar Botiraliyev, Mo'minxon Bahodirxonov (Sardorbek Fayzullayev, 83), Amirxon Muradov (Diyorbek Mahmudjonov, 87), Miraziz Abdukarimov (Behruz Saidmuradov, 58), Sadriddin Hasanov, Nurbek Sarsenbayev (Asilbek Aliyev, 58), Sayfiddin Sodiqov (Jamshidbek Rustamov, 58), Muhammadali Musaxanov (Asadbek Ramilov, 87), Abubakr Shukrullayev (Muhammad Xabibullayev, 74), Azizbek Erimbetov. Substitutes: Ibrohim Shokirov, Bahodir Izbaskanov, Hojiakbar Yusufboyev, Abdulloh Fazliddinov.

The Kazakhstan national team, which includes 4 'Humo' hockey players, won gold medals at the winter Asian Games held in Harbin, China. Today, in the tournament final, the Kazakhs defeated the Japanese national team with a score of 5:0. The first winning goal was scored by 'Humo' forward Andrey Buyalskiy. The second goal was assisted by Artyom Lixotnikov. By the way, Lixotnikov became the most effective player of his team at the end of the tournament. Artyom has a total of 20 points (4 goals + 16 assists)

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.

The group stage matches of the U-20 Asian Cup tournament hosted by China are ongoing. Below you can find the highlights of these matches: U-20 Asian Cup 1st round "B" group Iran – Indonesia 3:0 Goals: Hisom Nafari 5', Ismoil Gʻolizadeh 63', Mobin Dehghan 70' Iran: 1.Arsha Shakuri, 3.Hisom Nafari, 5.Irfon Darvish Aali, 7.Ismoil Gʻolizadeh, 8.Amirmuhammad Razagʻinia (16.Abdulfazl Zamoni, 58), 9.Yagub Barajeh, 10.Rizo Gandi Pur (19.Purya Shahrabadi, 87), 11.Mahan Sadegʻi (20.Yusuf Mazrayeh, 81), 15.Mobin Dehghan (6.Samir Horobatib 81), 17.Muhammad Dindor (2.Nima Andarz, 58), 18.Abulfazl Zoleikhayei. Indonesia: 23.Ikrom Algiffari, 3.Achmad Zidan (12.Fandi Bagus, 52), 4.Kadek Arel, 5.Muhammad Alfarezzi, 7.Arlyansyah Abdulmanan (15.Marselinus Ama Ola, 45), 9.Jens Raven (11.Jehan Pahlevib 86), 10.Velberliyeskott De Halim, 16.Doni Tri Pamungkas, 18.Toni Firmansyah, 19.Muhammad Ragil, 21.Muhammad Iqbol. "C" group Jordan – Saudi Arabia 0:1 Goal: Saad Haqavi 46' Jordan: 1.Salameh Ali Salmon, 3.Ayham Ziyod Alsaamrigʻ, 5.Abdallah Al Myannes, 6.Yusif Mohd, 7.Ibrohim Muhammad Sabra, 9.Odeh Burxon, 11.Mahmud Muhammad (20.Moʻmen Ali Alsaket, 76), 14.Yusuf Hussayn Qashi, 16.Umar Hadir Joq (17.Abdilrahmon Alxdur, 65), 21.Solih Muhammad Fraij. Saudi Arabia: 22.Hamid Abdulloh, 2.Sulton Abdulaziz, 5.Muhammad Barnavi, 6.Solih Ali Barnavi, 8.Rakan Holid Algamdi, 9.Talal Hoji (20.Abdumalik Alharbi, 81), 10.Ziyod Abdulloh Algamdi (7.Al Xayrallah Almahdavi, 69), 11.Saad Haqavi (4.Saud Muhammad, 90+2), 13.Bassam Abdulloh Hazazi, 14.Farhan Al Shamrani (18.Ramiz Said, 69), 19.Avad Muhsin Aman. Warnings: Ziyod Abdulloh Algamdi (24), Yusif Mohd (47). "C" group. 1st round Uzbekistan – Yemen 1:0 Goal: Muhammadali Oʻrinboyev (Ollobergan Karimov) 26 Uzbekistan: 12.Muhammadyusuf Sobirov, 4.Gʻiyosjon Rizaqulov, 5.Azizbek Toʻlqinbekov, 6.Ravshan Xayrullayev, 7.Daler Tuxsanov (15.Lazizbek Mirzayev, 64), 10.Muhammadali Oʻrinboyev (9.Saidumarxon Saidnurullayev, 83), 17.Ollobergan Karimov (19.Rustambek Fomin,78) 18.Narimon Ahmadjonov, 20.Dilshod Abdullayev, 22.Asilbek Jumayev, 23.Abdugʻafur Haydarov (8.Amirbek Saidov, 78). Yemen: 22.Usama Ali, 3.Anvar Hussayn, 4.Muhammad Naji, 6.Haithm Faysal, 9.Abdulaziz Avad (7.Muhammad Amir,76), 10.Isom Abdulatif (19.Muhammad Isom, 62), 11.Abdulrahmon Abdulnabi (21.Umar Gʻolib,77) 12.Said Abdulloh, 13.Ahmad Mustafo, 16.Muhammad Holid, 18.Odil Abbos. Warnings: Dilshod Abdullayev (Uzbekistan) 47, Muhammad Holid (Yemen) 61, Lazizbek Mirzayev (Uzbekistan) 87

Among our legionnaires in the Russian Premier League, Abbosbek Fayzullayev is undoubtedly showing the brightest performance. Our 21-year-old forward has literally become the leader of CSKA. Most of the "Army Men" attacks are organized through the Uzbek legionnaire. Abbos falls into the category of versatile players who can play in various positions. CSKA head coach Marko Nikolich took advantage of the winter break to change the team's playing style. During the winter training camps, the "Army Men" played in a new formation. The Serbian specialist changed Abbosbek Fayzullayev's position. Russian football experts have expressed various opinions regarding Nikolich's decision. In particular, the famous coach Igor Shalimov shared his thoughts on this matter publicly. - After CSKA switched to the new playing scheme, there hasn't been a noticeable improvement in the team's actions. This style may yield results in matches against top teams. In this case, the opponent is given more space, and the "Army Men" can quickly transition to a counterattack. This situation increases the chances of scoring. In matches against mid-table and outsider teams, CSKA is required to break through the defense line with positional attacks. This style has not been well developed in the "Army Men" game. Since Miralem Pjanic's arrival, there has been no improvement in his game; he plays the same way now as he did in the fall. Perhaps he needs more time. Like many others, I am concerned that Abbosbek Fayzullayev does not feel comfortable in the new scheme. His confidence is not the same as before, and the decisions he makes on the field are also different, - said Igor Shalimov. It is worth noting that earlier Abbosbek Fayzullayev himself mentioned that he needs to adapt to his new position on the field. - Winter training camps are always tough because of the heavy loads and complex drills. We have switched to a new playing scheme, and now we are focusing on mastering it, which requires some time to adapt. According to the new scheme, we will have more ball possession. My position has changed. I have not played this deep into the field and attacked at this level before. I had tried this method while playing for the Uzbekistan national team. I try to give my all in the game, and at the same time, the coach is playing me in the number 8 position. I have played as a number 10 since childhood, and I felt quite comfortable in that position. Now I can say that I am discovering my new facets. If given time, I will learn to play effectively in this position in the attacking scheme, - said Abbosbek Fayzullayev. It should be noted that Abbosbek Fayzullayev transferred from "Pakhtakor" to CSKA in August 2023. Since then, he has played 55 times for the "Army Men" in all tournaments, scoring eight goals and providing 20 assists.

Currently, Uzbekistan national team head coach Timur Kapadze is in Turkey. Our team's coach gave a brief interview about his trip to Turkey here. “I arrived in Turkey two days ago. Currently, many teams from our country are preparing for the new season in Turkey. I came here to watch the games, check the condition of the players, and talk to the coaches. My goal is to observe the players. I plan to attend all the matches. I watched the first game of "Bukhoro". Then I directly watched the games of "Neftchi", "Andijon", and "Bunyodkor" teams from the stadium. Today, "Nasaf" and "Sogdiana" teams will compete. I aim to attend these games. I want to study the condition of the players by attending the matches. I came to Turkey to learn about the players' conditions,” said our national team coach.

Several matches in the Europa League knockout stage have concluded. Below you can find the results of these matches and a video review of the games: "Porto" Portugal – "Roma" Italy 1:1 "Estádio do Dragão" Goals: 0:1 – 45+5 Chelik, 1:1 – 67 Moura. Porto – Diogo Costa, Otavio (Namaso, 75), Peres, Tiago Jalo, Mora de Carvalho (Pepe Akino, 63), Gonchalo Borges, Moura (Sanusi, 85), Varela (Fabio Vieira, 63), Eustáquio, João Mário, Agexova (Gyul, 85). Roma – Svilar, Ndika, Mancini, Chelik, Angelino, Pellegrini (Soule, 67), Cristante, Kone (Pizilli, 46), Salemakers (El-Shaaravi, 46), Dovbik (Paredes, 75), Dybala (Baldantsi, 40). Warnings: Pellegrini (18), Varela (20), Chelik (28), Kone (34), Salemakers (45+2), Moura (45+2), Cristante (63), Otavio (71), Baldantsi (90+4), Paredes (90+4). Red card: Cristante (72). "AZ Alkmaar" Netherlands – "Galatasaray" Turkey 4:1 "AFAS Stadion" Goals: 1:0 – 12 Meynans, 1:1 – 20 Shallai, 2:1 – 37, penalty Perrott, 3:1 – 57 Klasi, 4:1 – 66 Meller Wolf. AZ Alkmaar – Ovusu-Oduro, Meller Wolf, Alexandre Penetra, Gus, Maikuma (Kasius, 77), Klasi, Kopmeiners (Buurmester, 77), Lado (Dal, 83), Meynans, Poku (Smit, 83), Perrott (van Deyn, 90). Galatasaray – Muslera, Bardakchı, Kuesta, Kutlu (Baltacı, 71), Mertens (Demirbay, 56), Yelert (Demir, 71), Sara (Lush, 90+3), Ayxan, Shallai, Yılmaz, Morata (Akman, 90+3). Warnings: Ayxan (11), Bardakchı (43), Meller Wolf (48), Morata (57), Klasi (75). Red card: Ayxan (51). "Twente" Netherlands – "Bodø/Glimt" Norway 2:1 "De Grolsch Veste" Goals: 1:0 – 5 Ltayef, 1:1 – 85 Berg, 2:1 – 90+5, penalty van Wolfsvinkel. Twente – Unnerstall, Keppers, Lagerbielke, Schenk, van Roy, Sadilek, Vlap, Ltayef (Unyuvar, 69), Steyn (Verschueren, 82), Rots, van Wolfsvinkel. Bodø/Glimt – Håkin, Berkan, Gundersen, Nilsen, Shevold (Vembangomo, 86), Saltnes (Fet, 87), Berg, Even, Xeuge (Xelmersen, 87), Blomberg, Xeg (Dubvik Myayatya, 67). Warnings: Berkan (37), Xeuge (41), Gundersen (42), Lagerbielke (53), Unyuvar (84).

Amazing news is coming from Turkey. Euro-football.ru reported about this. According to the information, Zinedine Zidane may become the new head coach of the Fenerbahce football club. After the club management significantly strengthened the team in the summer, they reached an initial agreement with Zidane. The 53-year-old coach will move to Turkey after negotiations on salary and conditions are completed, reports Sabah Spor. It should be recalled that recently Fenerbahce parted ways with head coach Jose Mourinho. This decision was made after the Istanbul "Canaries" lost to Benfica in the Champions League qualifying round. Earlier, the media reported that Zinedine Zidane was planning to take over the position of the French national team head coach Didier Deschamps. Deschamps is expected to leave this position at the end of the 2026 World Cup. These news have sparked great interest among football fans.

Domenico Tedesco is one of the main candidates for the position of head coach of the Fenerbahce team. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. The Turkish club is searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho. The "Canaries" management has shortlisted Tedesco's name, and the Italian specialist has expressed his readiness to take this position, according to the well-known journalist Nicolo Schira. If everything goes according to plan, the 39-year-old specialist will sign a contract with the major Istanbul club until 2027. Domenico Tedesco's most recent job was with the Belgium national team, where he served as head coach from February 2023 to January 2025. Previously, he worked at major clubs such as RB Leipzig, Moscow Spartak, and Schalke 04. His coaching experience and work with big teams could be a great opportunity for Fenerbahce. The club aims to achieve future successes with the new coach.

Famous footballer Edgar Davids, who played for Juventus in past years, learned that his acquaintance Nabila Habibi committed theft. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. The ad.nl portal provided information about this. According to the publication, Davids found out several years later that his painting collection had been stolen. He had entrusted the collection to a trusted person. For a while, Habibi also lived in his house. While Davids believed the collection was kept in a safe place, Habibi stole 37 paintings, pawned them at various pawnshops, and received approximately 30 thousand euros. In 2017, when Habibi was unable to repay her debts, the pawnshops gained the right to sell the paintings. One of the buyers saw Davids' name on the back of a painting and contacted him through social networks. After that, Davids filed a lawsuit. Habibi admitted to the theft. Earlier, she had faced problems related to criminal cases and had left her acquaintance after taking 3500 euros from him.

One of Argentina's famous personalities, Wanda Nara, constantly causes various rumors about herself in the press. Euro-football.ru reported on this. Last summer, she divorced Mauro Icardi and they are currently continuing the court process regarding which parent their daughter will stay with. According to some Argentine sources, it is planned to deprive Wanda of the right to use social networks for at least 30 days. This will be a big blow to her because she mainly earns income on social networks and maintains both work-related and non-work-related connections. In addition, Wanda's profile has appeared on the popular "OnlyFans" platform. Perhaps she is now looking for new fans precisely on this platform. These events may affect her personal life and professional activity. The court process and social media restrictions may influence her future career. Therefore, the public is closely watching her actions.

Attacking midfielder Cole Palmer may not participate in the upcoming Chelsea match. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. Journalists from the Goal portal noticed Palmer's absence in the training session images released by the club. It is assumed that the team captain has not yet resumed training. It has been revealed that Cole Palmer has not played in the last two matches of the English Championship due to health problems. Chelsea will play their next match on Saturday, September 13. In this match, the team led by Enzo Mareski will face Brentford away. Currently, Chelsea holds second place in the English Premier League standings with seven points from three matches. The absence of the team's leading player from training increases the likelihood that he will not take the field in the upcoming match. This may lead to changes in the team lineup for Chelsea in this important game. Football fans and experts continue to closely monitor this situation.

Karim Konate, a forward for Red Bull Salzburg, has come under the interest of the Barcelona club. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. The Catalan club is searching for a new player to replace 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski. This season may be Lewandowski's last with the club. According to Transfer News Live, citing the Africa Soccer website, 21-year-old Karim Konate is on the Catalans' radar. He has been unable to play since last November due to a torn ligament in his knee. The Transfermarkt portal has valued him at 15 million euros. The Ivorian forward has appeared in 64 matches for Red Bull Salzburg's first team, scoring 33 goals and providing 11 assists. This young player's future is considered very promising, and Barcelona aims to add him to their squad.

Julian Alvares, forward of Madrid's "Atletico" team, intends to continue his career at the "Barcelona" club. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. According to the Fichajes publication, the Argentine footballer plans to transfer to "Barcelona" in the summer of 2026. He has informed those around him about this and is ready to put pressure on the "mattress makers" management for the transfer. Alvares's decision is related to dissatisfaction with the new tactics of "Atletico" head coach Diego Simeone. The player sees himself as the successor to Robert Lewandowski, as the "blaugrana" team does not intend to extend the contract with the Polish player after the current season. Nevertheless, Alvares's price is estimated at around 80 million euros, which may pose a problem for the transfer to take place. This season, the 25-year-old forward has played in three matches of the Spanish championship and scored one goal. His move to "Barcelona" is expected to strengthen the team's attacking line.

Ali Koch, as the president of the "Fenerbahce" club, explained the reasons for the resignation of head coach Jose Mourinho. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. He emphasized the need to improve the team's playing style by the end of the last season. According to Ali Koch, the team was supposed to collect 99 points and also score 99 goals. A defeat against "Benfica" could be considered normal, but the way the game ended was unacceptable. This situation showed that there was no change in the team's performance. Jose Mourinho managed "Fenerbahce" from 2024 to 2025, but under his leadership, the club did not win any trophies. Therefore, by the decision of the club management, he was relieved of his coaching duties. This change is aimed at improving the team's future results.