Date: 15 October 2024
Venue: Milliy Stadium, Tashkent
Competition: FIFA World Cup 26™ AFC Qualifiers, Group A
Final Score: Uzbekistan 1-0 United Arab Emirates
The Uzbekistan National Football Team faced the United Arab Emirates Football Team in a crucial Group A encounter of the FIFA World Cup 26™ AFC Qualifiers. Uzbekistan, playing at home in the Milliy Stadium, sought to extend their unbeaten streak, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aimed to improve their position on the points table. The game proved to be an intense tactical battle, ultimately decided by a second-half penalty that gave Uzbekistan a narrow 1-0 victory.
Uzbekistan National Football Team vs United Arab Emirates Football Team Head-to-Head
- Uzbekistan Wins: 1
- United Arab Emirates Wins: 3
- Draws: 1
In their previous encounters, the United Arab Emirates held the upper hand, having won three out of their last five meetings. However, Uzbekistan turned the tables in this tightly contested match, taking a vital step toward FIFA World Cup 26™ qualification.
Uzbekistan National Football Team vs United Arab Emirates Football Team Lineups and Substitutions
Uzbekistan (3-4-2-1):
Manager: Srečko Katanec
- Goalkeeper: Utkir Yusupov
- Defenders: Abdukodir Khusanov, Bobur Abdikholikov (70′), Husniddin Aliqulov
- Midfielders: Otabek Shukurov (P), Odiljon Hamrobekov, Jaloliddin Masharipov, Khojiakbar Alijonov (60′), Azizbek Turgunboev, Sherzod Nasrullaev
- Forward: Eldor Shomurodov
- Substitutes: Abduvohid Nematov, Botirali Ergashev, Farrukh Sayfiev, Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev, Umar Eshmurodov, Akmal Mozgovoy, Jamshid Iskanderov, Diyor Kholmatov, Bobur Abdikholikov (70′), Hojimat Erkinov (90′)
United Arab Emirates (4-2-3-1):
Manager: Paulo Jorge Gomes Bento
- Goalkeeper: Khalid Eisa
- Defenders: Abdulla Idrees, Khalifa Mubarak, Mohamad Alattas, Khaled Aldhanhani
- Midfielders: Abdulla Salmeen (65′ RC), Tahnoon Alzaabi (70′), Issam Faiz (70′), Harib Abdalla, Yahya Alghassani, Marcus Meloni (83′)
- Forward: Caio Canedo
- Substitutes: Ali Khasief, Zayed Sultan, Khalid Alhashmi, Mackenzie Hunt (83′), Fahad Badr, Bruno (70′)
Uzbekistan National Football Team vs United Arab Emirates Football Team First Half: Tactical Duel
The first half began with both teams adopting cautious approaches. Uzbekistan controlled possession early, with Jaloliddin Masharipov orchestrating attacks from the midfield. UAE, meanwhile, sat deep, relying on counterattacks led by Caio Canedo and Yahya Alghassani. Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov had the best chance of the half, but UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa pulled off a crucial save in the 45th minute. Both teams struggled to break each other’s defenses, leading to a goalless first half.
Uzbekistan National Football Team vs United Arab Emirates Football Team Halftime: Uzbekistan 0-0 United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan National Football Team vs United Arab Emirates Football Team Second Half: Decisive Moments
The match took a dramatic turn in the second half, as Uzbekistan pushed forward with more urgency. In the 65th minute, UAE’s Abdulla Salmeen was shown a red card for a reckless challenge, reducing his team to ten men. This moment shifted the momentum firmly in Uzbekistan’s favor.
Just ten minutes later, Khalifa Mubarak of the UAE committed a foul inside the penalty box, resulting in a penalty for Uzbekistan. Otabek Shukurov calmly converted the spot-kick in the 76th minute to give his side a 1-0 lead. Despite their numerical disadvantage, UAE continued to fight, but Uzbekistan held firm to secure a vital win.
Uzbekistan National Football Team vs United Arab Emirates Football Team Fulltime: Uzbekistan 1-0 United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan National Football Team vs United Arab Emirates Football Team Stats
| Category | Uzbekistan | United Arab Emirates |
| Goals | 1 | 0 |
| Shots on Target | 8 | 4 |
| Possession | 55% | 45% |
| Pass Accuracy | 85% | 81% |
| Fouls | 14 | 11 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 1 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Corners | 6 | 3 |
Uzbekistan National Football Team vs United Arab Emirates Football Team Timeline
- 1’–45′: The first half saw a balanced contest, with both teams probing each other’s defenses. Uzbekistan had the better chances, but UAE’s goalkeeper Khalid Eisa stood strong. The half ended goalless.
- 65′: Red card for UAE’s Abdulla Salmeen, leaving UAE with ten men.
- 73′: Khalifa Mubarak conceded a penalty for a foul in the box, giving Uzbekistan a golden opportunity to break the deadlock.
- 76′: Otabek Shukurov converted the penalty, giving Uzbekistan the lead.
- 90’+4′: Despite a few late chances from UAE, Uzbekistan’s defense held firm to secure the 1-0 victory.
Uzbekistan National Football Team vs United Arab Emirates Football Team Impact on Points Table
With this victory, Uzbekistan moved to the top of Group A with 10 points from four matches. The United Arab Emirates, on the other hand, dropped to fourth place with only four points from four games. The result leaves UAE in a precarious position, needing wins in their upcoming fixtures to stay in contention for qualification.
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Uzbekistan | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 10 |
| IR Iran | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 7 |
| Qatar | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| United Arab Emirates | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Kyrgyz Republic | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 3 |
| Korea DPR | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 2 |
Player Achievements
- Uzbekistan National Football Team vs United Arab Emirates Football Team Man of the Match: Otabek Shukurov (Uzbekistan)
Shukurov was instrumental in the midfield and held his nerve to score the match-winning penalty. - Notable Performances:
- Khalid Eisa (UAE): Made several key saves to keep his team in the game.
- Jaloliddin Masharipov (Uzbekistan): Orchestrated Uzbekistan’s attack with his creative passing.
FAQs
- Who scored the only goal of the Uzbekistan National Football Team vs United Arab Emirates Football Team match?
Otabek Shukurov scored the only goal of the match for Uzbekistan from a penalty in the 76th minute. - Why was Abdulla Salmeen sent off in the Uzbekistan National Football Team vs United Arab Emirates Football Team match?
Abdulla Salmeen received a red card for a reckless challenge in the 65th minute, reducing UAE to ten men. - How did the red card impact the Uzbekistan National Football Team vs United Arab Emirates Football Team game?
The red card shifted the momentum in Uzbekistan’s favor, leading to the penalty that decided the match.
The Uzbekistan National Football Team claimed a crucial 1-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates Football Team, moving to the top of Group A. Otabek Shukurov’s penalty was the difference in a hard-fought contest, with Uzbekistan’s disciplined defense holding off a late push from the UAE. With only four points from four games, UAE faces an uphill battle to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 26™.
