Report by our uzbek collaborator Konstantin Serikov

ASIAN'S DOUBLE RUNNER-UP BAHODIR AHMEDOV HEADED UZBEKISTAN NATIONAL TEAM

Bahodir Ahmedov, Asian two-times silver medal winner, has been appointed as a new head coach for Uzbekistan national men's team.

Bahodir Ahmedov, ex-player and captain of "Ardus" club and present player of "Pahtachi", is the second futsal player of "Ardus", who ever coached the national men's team. The first coach was Shavkat Abduraimov.
Ahmedov is a participant of all AFC Futsal Championship's editions as a member of the Uzbekistan squad, though as a player.
No doubt it is a huge responsibility to head the national futsal team - says Bahodir Ahmedov. Moreover, this season is very important for entire Uzbek futsal with its objectives of qualifying to the World Futsal Cup and successful performance at it. However, we are completely absorbed with the thoughts about the Asian Championship, at which we aim to win a place not lower than fourth.
Bahodir Ahmedov started his futsal career in Chirchik city, Tashkent region. In "Solikchi" club he and his close partner Nikolay Odushev won Uzbekistan Cup and bronze medals of the Championship. Arriving in "Ardus" in 2004 Bahodir acquired second youth, became team's symbol, captain and supported club's youngsters. Much owing to Bahodir's outstanding game "Ardus" became three-times Champion in Uzbek futsal Premier League, two-times Cup winner and runner-up of trial Asian Futsal Champion's League. In last season he transferred to "Pahtachi" futsal club of Uzbek Premier League, where he is acting as a playing coach.
Uzbekistan's national futsal team is impossible to imagine without Bahodir Ahmedov. In 2001 and 2006 he was team's captain when silver medals were conquered.
Now new prospects are opening in his career.


IF QUALIFIED TO THE WORLD FUTSAL CUP, UZBEKISTAN NATIONAL FUTSAL TEAM WILL RECEIVE 100 MLN.

In case of qualification to the World Futsal Cup 2008, Uzbekistan national futsal team will receive 100.000.000 Uzbek soums (80 000 USD) as a money prize from Uzbekistan Football Federation. It was announced during meeting of Uzbek football's head Mirabror Usmanov and new team's coach Bahodir Ahmedov.
"There are many very important tasks for Bahodir Ahmedov. For the first time in Uzbek futsal's history there is a real chance to get into World Futsal Cup. First of all, we have formed a strong team when players will sacrifice their all strength to attain the goal. Secondly, prior to the AFC Futsal Championship our futsal players will participate in training camps in Iran, Malaysia and Thailand. To the top of it we are planning to hold friendly matches in Tashkent against national teams of Russia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Currently, we are running discussion with national associations of these countries", - told Mirabror Usmanov.
National futsal team of Uzbekistan will take part in AFC Futsal Championship from 9 to 18 May in Thailand. Teams qualified to semifinals round of the tournament will obtain direct qualification to the FIFA World Futsal Cup 2008.
"Uzbekistan Football Federation in cooperation with Uzbekistan Futsal Association will create every necessary facility for team's through preparation before important competitions. In addition to Futsal Association's salary we will also provide monthly allowance for the team's coaching staff. We will supply sports equipment, medicines and other necessary facilities of high quality. Considering Bahodir Ahmedov's scant coaching experience at international events and his playing position we have decided to invite a foreign coach to assist him during coaching. First trainings will start in February. A psychologist and scientific group headed by Rustam Akramov will assist Ahmedov. We just need our futsal team to win a qualification to the World Futsal Cup" - noted Mirabror Usmanov.
According to the calendar of events national team will be involved in a training camp during 6-10 February. From 11 to 18 February the team will be visiting Iran, where Ahmedov's squad will take part in an international tournament.


MALAYSIA HAS BEEN SELECTED AS A ACCLIMATIZATION DESTINATION

National futsal team of Uzbekistan will hold a training camp in Malaysia during 2-9 May as a preparation to the AFC Futsal Championship.
Malaysia has not been chosen accidentally - says manager of Uzbekistan national futsal team Alisher Nikimbaev. "While in Malaysia I discussed the feasibility of this event with the Malaysian Football Association. We are also planning to hold friendly matches there, but the most important thing is adaptation of our players to South-East Asian climate".


"ARDUS" NOW HAS ITS OWN FUTSAL ACADEMY
The most titled futsal club of Uzbekistan "Ardus" Tashkent has established its academy to train talented futsal players.
- We will select boys and prepare them for elite futsal - stated "Ardus" president Jahangir Usmanov. His opinion is that it will enable the club to organize a fruitful selection process. Probably national team will also summon academy's students in the future. Similar academy already exists in Zarafshan, Navoi region.





Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com