Asian football’s biggest nearly men lived up to their own infamous billing on Saturday evening, as hosts and reigning champions Qatar edged past Uzbekistan to set up an AFC Asian Cup semi-final with Iran.
A tight 1-1 draw in normal time between two of the strongest outside bets for this year’s continental title almost inevitably went the distance, with the Qataris winning out in the resulting penalty shootout.
The defeat, however, felt all too familiar for the White Wolves. Their third attempt at penalties at the Asian Cup, following Bahrain in 2004 and Australia in 2019, materialised in a third defeat.
News that Srecko Katanec’s side hadn’t practiced penalties before the match, as baffling as it may seem, came as little surprise to anyone who observed proceedings from a fervent Al-Bayt Stadium, as defenders Rustam Ashurmatov and Zafarmurod Abdurakhmatov tamely squandered moments of advantage, in what was a noticeably weak shootout for both sides.
It was Jaloliddin Masharipov, however, that would deal Uzbekistan’s final blow, failing to subtly give Meshaal Barsham the eyes, to quite painfully punt straight down the middle of the goal into the goalkeeper’s grasp.
That miss, in its manner, was symbolic of the struggles he’s had throughout this tournament. Ever since news of Eldor Shomurodov’s injury broke in early January, Uzbek fear and expectation has been placed on the national team’s stand in captain’s shoulders.
Having been far from his best over the last year or so, the increased pressure didn’t exactly settle him into the sort of form of which we all know he’s capable. Too often he felt peripheral to the action, unable to truly dictate play as his team’s central heartbeat; Uzbekistan progressed through to the quarter-finals without their star man really having the impact most desired.
Ironically, Qatar was probably his finest game of the tournament; leading from the front and even showing courage in tracking back and covering deep. In the end, however, his match will go on to become notably defined by his final touch that spelt Uzbekistan’s exit from the tournament.
Masharipov epitomises the national team at the moment. A team of anticlimax, highly thought of on paper, but with little follow through when asked to push to the next level.
Katanec reacted quite angrily to a journalist’s suggestion earlier in the week that his team may not have been considered as one of the realistic dark horses for the title, unlike Iraq or Jordan. Maybe their future was all too predictable.
There will be those who’ll claim things could’ve been different for Uzbekistan.
Some will point towards questionable officiating – Qatar’s hero on the night, Barsham, was incredibly lucky to avoid a straight red, despite VAR approval, for a reckless challenge on Abbosbek Fayzullaeav early in the second half.
It was the latest example of things going against Uzbekistan throughout the tournament.
From pre-tournament injuries to Shomurodov and Husniddin Alikulov, to those over the last few weeks, including Khojiakbar Alijonov, Igor Sergeev and Sherzhod Nasrullaev. Even through illness, with Otabek Shukurov last week, and suspension to Abdukhodir Khusanov this, few sides at the tournament can attest to the levels of disruption felt by Katanec’s men.
Through it all, however, the sense of inevitable disappointment continues to hang over Uzbekistan. Asia’s almost men, still chasing an Asian Cup final appearance, an Olympic qualification, a debut World Cup; for now it’s always that extra step away; one that is becoming more and more hard to reach.
Things were supposed to be different this time around. The injection of the next generation inspired by the emergence of 20-year-old Abbosbek Fayzullaev was hoped to dispel the myths surrounding their uncomfortable bridesmaid tag, in which to break new ground.
Repeated success at youth level and a coach that had seemingly found the best formula to get the most out of his players, gave hope that a change in fortunes was on the horizon, ultimately dashed in an all too familiar quarter-final defeat.
In the wake of yet another senior shootout defeat, Katanec may have done better to look towards Fayzullaev to break their penalty hoodoo, having scored in three consecutive penalty shootout victories at recent U23 and U20 Asian Cups. Alas, the playmaker was withdrawn with six minutes of extra time to play.
Uzbekistan came into this Asian Cup with a rising reputation. Few can argue that this has been tarnished, even with this result.
A young side, with their gaze firmly fixed on World Cup qualification over the coming years, which a run to the final eight in Asia would be enough to achieve. However, a sense of regret that this team couldn’t break their lingering reputation remains a bitter aftertaste which’ll take time to wash away.
In truth, the now well-characterised chokers of Asian football would transcend to new levels of derision if they don’t achieve a ticket for North America. The quality now being pumped out of the nation’s footballing structure, coinciding with the expansion of World Cup spots, is a gift even Uzbekistan can’t miss out on. Surely?
While inquests and excuses are made, the focus of World Cup qualification leaves little time for introspection, as their campaign resumes next month.
As their undoubted and skyrocketing potential plots the way forward for Uzbek football, as does their unerring knack to squander what’s in front of them, as another chance at glory is squandered too easily.
Photos: Asian Football Confederation
