Tehran: Odil Ahmedov will lead Uzbekistan into one of their biggest games in recent times on Monday when the White Wolves take on the Islamic Republic of Iran at Azadi Stadium looking for a positive result that would keep their hopes of automatic qualification for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 alive.
It’s been a busy six months for the four-time Uzbekistan Player of the Year, who joined Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai SIPG ahead of the start of the 2017 campaign, before scoring the only goal for his country in a 1-0 win over Qatar in March to keep his side within striking distance of Group A leaders I.R. Iran and second-placed Korea Republic.
Ahead of the game in Tehran, the-AFC.com caught up with the 29-year-old midfielder to discuss how he initially got into football, his experiences in Russia and China and, of course, his FIFA World Cup hopes with Uzbekistan.
Q: You grew up in the Namangan region of Uzbekistan whilst the country was still part of the old Soviet Socialist Republic. How popular was football there at that time?
Growing up in that region, the football culture was not so good. There were very few competitions or even coaches, which is why I took myself to Tashkent, to the sport university there. Towards the end of the ‘90s, after independence, our government saw a big opportunity for football and introduced a number of changes, which I certainly benefited from.
Q: How did the football culture change after independence?
Well from independence to today, there have been many changes. First of all our presidents; the last president as well as the new president both like football, and our government has done a lot to help young players, students and others to improve through new facilities and sports centres. I hope in the future these changes can take the Uzbekistan national team to the next level.
Q: What are your earliest memories of playing football?
Well even when I was very young, I always loved football and was training all the time which helped me reach this level.
Q: Which players did you look up to as a young player? Did you model your own game on them?
I always looked up to Mirjalol Qosimov, who is a legend of Uzbekistan football. Everybody loved him, he was a superstar of the Uzbek football world. I liked watching him play and train, and learnt many things from him.
Q: What do you think are your biggest attributes on the pitch and would you describe your style of play?
It’s difficult to say, my coaches will know that better than me. But at the beginning of my career, I started at number 6, then moved to 8. So now I’m a central midfielder but also help the attack. My main job is to win the ball back and give to my teammates.
Q: You came through the ranks at Pakhtakor, and made your debut at 18 years old in 2006. Despite the interest in you, you remained at the club until 2011, what were your reasons for doing so?
When I started at Pakhtakor I was just 18 years old, so I don’t think I was ready to move to another club in Europe. That’s why my coach and I decided it would be best to stay at the club for two or three years to get the experience before moving to another club.
Q: Your performances at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup thrust you into the spotlight after you helped Uzbekistan reach the semi-finals. There was reportedly interest from England, France and Spain – as well as East and West Asian sides – so what made you opt for Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia?
Well there was a lot of interest from different clubs but Anzhi were the only club to really put forward a firm offer. It was only after I signed with Anzhi that the other teams seemed to come forward.
Q: You also scored arguably the best goal of the tournament in the 2-0 victory over hosts Qatar. Do you consider that the finest you’ve ever scored?
I’d say at the moment it’s the best goal, as far as I can remember.
Q: You have somewhat of a reputation for your thunderbolt shots, has this always been a key part of your game?
Yeah, I always try to get into good positions to score on the pitch, whether that’s from short or long distance.
Q: You were voted the Anzhi’s best player, ahead of established names like Samuel Eto’o and Yuri Zhirkov, at the end of your first season in Russia. How did you find the step up from the Uzbek League to the Russian Premier League?
A key part of settling in was the language; coming from the Soviet Union and being able to speak Russian certainly helped. The team had some huge players like Samuel Eto’o and Roberto Carlos so adjusting to that level was a little difficult at first. But after that period of adjustment we became good friends and good teammates.
Q: After a successful five years in Russia – first with Anzhi and later FC Krasnodar – you returned to Asia to join Shanghai SIPG. How have you found life in the first six months in China?
The whole team is very friendly which makes adjusting very easy. But the main thing has been the coach, Andre Villas-Boas. You can always call on him – any mistakes or problems, he is very understanding and can resolve them immediately.
Q: You joined compatriots Egor Krimets and Anzur Ismailov in the Chinese Super League this year. Did you seek any advice from those players before moving to China?
Before I came here, I was aware of the situation – the league, the lifestyle and so on. Talking with my friends in the national team, they gave me some good information about the country before coming here.
Q: How are you finding life in Shanghai compared to Tashkent, Makhachkala and Krasnodar? What do you think of the food and culture there?
First of all, Shanghai is a very beautiful city, the most modern city in Asia. Every city has good and bad parts, but I always try to see the best parts of any city or culture. I think being Asian, our cultures certainly have some similarities which always helps.
Q: With Uzbekistan currently third in Group A and within touching distance of I.R. Iran and Korea Republic, how do you rate your country’s chances of making it to a first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2018?
Yeah, we’re currently third but we have very important games coming up, which could change everything. If we make it to the World Cup it would be amazing for me, the team and the whole country.
Ahmedov scores in 1-0 victory over Qatar
Q: What would it mean to represent your country at a FIFA World Cup for the first time?
It would be something incredible, I can’t even describe it. Being the first time going to the World Cup - the whole country wants to see the team make it.
Q: Finally, your brother Yoqub is a well-known actor in Uzbekistan. Who is the bigger celebrity of the two of you?
Well wherever we go in Uzbekistan it seems we both get recognised. But I think women like actors more, while the men seem to like me more because I’m a football player.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com