The Hindu : Uzbekistan and Iran share honours

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 13, 2003

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Sport - Football

Uzbekistan and Iran share honours

By S. Sabanayakan

Uzbekistan defender Yuldashev Shotbrukh (left) clearing the ball from Iran's Milad Midavoodi during their J.R.D. Tata Cup match at Jamshedpur on Friday. — Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

JAMSHEDPUR SEPT. 12. Reputation does not matter in football, skill does. And Uzbekistan displayed this virtue in ample measure in holding Iran to a 1-1 draw in the J.R.D. Tata Cup international invitation tournament league match here on Friday.

A sharp shower just before the start of the match, and another 10 minutes into the game, rendered the J.R.D. Tata Sports Complex turf soggy to greatly inconvenience the two teams which are not used to playing on such a surface back home.

Yet, the teams maintained good speed, showed amazing ball control and imagination. Neither of the sides was happy with the outcome, though.

The Iranians, who were bigger and faster, wasted no time in swinging into action. For about 20 minutes, they played attacking football and came up with a number of sorties to unsettle the Uzbek defence.

The youthful Uzbek players weathered the onslaught with some tight defence before settling down to take charge of the vital midfield and shot into the lead as well.

The Uzbeks had a superb playmaker in Muzaffer Umirzakov. This slightly-built 17-year-old showed his skill by providing immaculate passes. No doubt, he was the fulcrum of the Uzbek attack in the 4-4-2 formation. His midfield promptings kept the two attackers, Josue Boboev and Bhrom Umarov, as well as the Iranian defence, rather busy till half-time.

During this period of ascendancy, Uzbekistan went ahead with an Umarov strike through a quick and lethal move. When Muzaffer got a loose ball five yards inside the Iranian half, he sent a `through-ball' that sliced through the Iranian defence. Umarov, waiting just in front of the two stoppers, moved in to shield the ball from the defenders and showed good speed. On entering the box, he unleashed a swerving low shot to the left of a charging Iranian custodian Sayed Mahdi Eslami. It was a classic move with a classic finish.

Iran had some very fine players and what their coach did was to make them combine well. After half-time, the four-player midfield began to attack, not only disturbing Uzbekistan's rhythm but also gaining regular possession as well. Body charges unsettled the skilful Uzbeks as Iranians kept up the pressure in search of the elusive equaliser. And the wait wasn't long.

Seven minutes into the second half, Iran produced a gem of a goal. Iran's undoing was not using the wings to stretch the Uzbek defence. And when it did, the Uzbeks had no answer.

Mohammad Neknafs set Amir Reza Bagherinia on the right. The right wingback showed a clean pair of heels in the overlap and sent a centre to the goalmouth. The execution was so fast and precise that Milad Midavoodi had only to follow the ball to shoot home. What was amazing was Midovoodi's execution. When he connected the ball, he was at full tilt and about to slide in order to kick the low ball.

After the equaliser, there were many anxious moments as both goalkeepers were called upon to save the situation. Uzbekistan got a golden opportunity in the 78th minute following a flag kick. Captain Sadziddin Abdullaev's header brought a reflex save from the Iranian goalkeeper and Abbas Abdullayer's second attempt was blocked and cleared by a defender. That the Uzbeks came out of the match unscathed proved their cool mind and confidence in their ability. At no point did the Uzbeks play for a draw; nor did the Iranians. It was this positive attitude that made the game interesting.

Saturday's match: India TFA White vs Bangladesh.

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