FIFA.com takes a look at Uzbekistan, who collected the FIFA Fair Play Award at Monday's FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala, with the Central Asian nation having made rapid growth in recent times with more milestones on the horizon.
FIFA.com reviews the recently completed Uzbekistan season as former kings Pakhtakor broke Bunyodkor’s stranglehold on the domestic scene to once again be crowned champions.
Mirdjalal Kasimov speaks to FIFA.com about his Uzbekistan side’s slow start to the final phase of Asian Zone qualifying, what they must do to reach Brazil 2014, and losing his country’s all-time scoring record to Maksim Shatskikh.
Uzbekistan have been a constant in the final stage of recent Asian FIFA World Cup™ qualifying campaigns, but this time coach Vadim Abramov believes his side have the talent to go a step further and reach Brazil 2014.
The pitting of Korea Republic and Iran, two well-established Asian rivals, in Group A is sure to make for an intriguing spectacle, while Uzbekistan are lurking as the section's likely dark horses.
FIFA.com speaks with Uzbekistan coach Vadim Abramov who, after leading the White Wolves to their maiden AFC Asian Cup semi-final earlier this year, is now hunting a first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup™.
FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011
