Uzbekistan Defenders Ready for Portugal Challenge After Colombia Defeat

Uzbekistan's defenders Rustam Ashurmatov and Abdukodir Khusanov have expressed determination and respect for the challenge ahead following their 1-3 loss to Colombia in their historic World Cup debut. Despite the defeat, both players emphasized pride in scoring Uzbekistan's first-ever World Cup goal and competing at the tournament's highest level. Ashurmatov, who met Cristiano Ronaldo as a 13-year-old in Tashkent in 2009, acknowledged the symbolic nature of facing the Portuguese star on the World Cup stage, though stressed that the team must prepare to contend with the entire Portugal squad, not just Ronaldo.

Khusanov reflected on the Colombia match, noting that Uzbekistan fought hard throughout and created opportunities despite the final result. "We scored our first goal and leveled the score, then tried to find a second goal," he said, emphasizing the team's effort and near-misses. Both defenders highlighted fan support as a major source of motivation during their opening fixture.

With the Portugal match scheduled for the evening of June 23, Uzbekistan has begun recovery and tactical preparations. Ashurmatov stated the team is improving both physically and tactically, determined to perform at maximum capacity. "We won't give a hundred percent, we will give a thousand percent," he declared. Head coach Fabio Cannavaro has also acknowledged the difficulty of the task, noting that Uzbekistan must prepare to face Portugal's full attacking threat.

For Ashurmatov, the upcoming match holds particular personal resonance, transforming a childhood memory into a competitive World Cup encounter. However, both players emphasized that reaching the World Cup represents an incomparable honor for the nation and that facing elite opponents is part of the competition they have long dreamed of joining.