When Abbos Fayzullayev, midfielder for the Uzbekistan national team twisted his knee against Kuwait, it meant his absence from the highly‑anticipated Uruguay friendly.
The injury happened on at the AOlimpiya stadium in Tashkent. Just 21 minutes in, Fayzullayev collided with a Kuwaiti defender, crumpled to the turf and was replaced by Aziz Turg'unboyev. The match ended 2‑0, thanks to goals from Eldor Shomurodov and Hojimat Erkinov, and marked the debut of Italian coach Fabio Cannavaro as Uzbekistan’s head coach.
What went wrong on the pitch?
According to the post‑match medical report released by the Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA) on , the midfielder suffered a Grade‑II sprain to his medial collateral ligament. Doctors called it “not serious” but warned that any rush back could jeopardise his season.
“The priority is a full recovery,” a UFA spokesperson said in a press briefing. “He’ll miss the upcoming friendly against Uruguay to ensure the knee heals properly.”
Fayzullayev, who signed a five‑year contract with Turkish Süper Lig side Istanbul Başakşehir for a reported €7 million in July, will now spend the next two weeks doing low‑impact rehab under the watch of both club and national team physios.
Why the Uruguay friendly mattered
The match was slated for at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was the first test for Cannavaro’s new tactical setup against a top‑10 FIFA side.
Uruguay, coached by Argentine legend Marcelo Bielsa and perched at 13th in the world rankings, fielded a line‑up that included Rodrigo Bentancur Torres and Julio Valentín de la Cruz Sanabria. For Uzbekistan, the game was a rehearsal ahead of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers kicking off on .
The final score – 1‑2 loss – underscored what many analysts had predicted: without Fayzullayev’s vision‑splitting passes, Uzbekistan struggled to dominate the midfield battle.
Reactions from the camp and fans
In a candid interview after the Kuwait win, Cannavaro praised Fayzullayev’s work ethic, calling him “the engine that keeps the midfield ticking.” When asked about the injury, the former World Cup winner said, “We’ll adjust, but losing him is like missing a gear in a gearbox – the car still runs, just not as smooth.”
Uzbek fans took to social media, flooding the UFA’s official page with #GetWellFayzullayev memes. One supporter wrote, “He’s 25, still young – a few weeks of rest and he’ll be back to dazzling us again.”
The club side, Istanbul Başakşehir, issued a brief statement confirming that their medical team is in constant contact with the UFA and will monitor the progress closely. They added, “Our priority is the player’s long‑term health, not a short‑term call‑up.”
What the absence means tactically
Cannavaro had planned to deploy a 4‑2‑3‑1, with Fayzullayev sitting just behind striker Ruslanbek Jiyanov. The midfielder’s ability to switch play from left to right, and to strike late runs into the box, was a key element in the coach’s game plan.
In his stead, the coach promoted Aziz Turg'unboyev, a younger player with a higher work‑rate but less experience on the international stage. The switch forced Uzbekistan to play a more compact, counter‑attacking style against Uruguay’s possession‑heavy approach.
Statistically, Uzbekistan’s possession dropped from an average 58 % in the Kuwait game to 44 % against Uruguay, while their pass completion fell to 71 % – a clear dip that many analysts linked to the missing midfield maestro.
Looking ahead – qualifiers and recovery
UFA medical staff estimate Fayzullayev could return to full training within two weeks, meaning he should be fit for the opening qualifier against Saudi Arabia on . If the recovery goes as planned, he’ll be back in the squad for the crucial September 2026 World Cup play‑offs.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will regroup after the Uruguay loss. The next friendly on against Jordan offers a chance to experiment with a three‑midfielder formation that could compensate for Fayzullayev’s temporary void.
For fans, the takeaway is simple: injuries are part of the game, but the way a team adapts often defines its destiny. As Cannavaro put it, “We’ll rebuild, we’ll fight, and we’ll keep our eyes on the World Cup.”
Historical backdrop – Uzbekistan’s rise in Asian football
Since gaining independence in 1991, Uzbekistan has climbed steadily in the FIFA rankings, reaching a high of 44 in 2019. The UFA, founded in 1946 and re‑structured in 1994, has invested heavily in youth academies and overseas player development.
Recent signings like Fayzullayev, who moved from the Uzbek Super League to a European‑standard club, reflect a broader strategy to blend home‑grown talent with foreign experience. The aim? To finally break the ceiling and book a ticket to the World Cup, something the nation has chased since the 1998 qualifiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will Abbos Fayzullayev’s injury affect Uzbekistan’s World Cup qualifying campaign?
If the midfielder completes the two‑week rehab as projected, he should be available for the opening qualifier against Saudi Arabia on November 14. Missing him in the Uruguay friendly highlighted a potential short‑term dip in creativity, but the team’s depth means they can still compete, especially if they adapt to a more compact midfield shape.
What is the significance of the friendly against Uruguay for Uzbekistan?
The game was a litmus test for Fabio Cannavaro’s new tactics against a top‑10 side. It offered players exposure to high‑intensity European‑style pressing and helped the coaching staff identify gaps before the Asian qualifiers begin.
Why did the Uzbekistan Football Association describe the injury as ‘not serious’?
Medical examinations classified the knee sprain as Grade‑II, which typically heals without surgery. The ‘not serious’ label reflects the expectation of a full recovery, but prudence dictated a precautionary rest period ahead of a high‑stakes fixture.
Who will likely replace Fayzullayev in the midfield for upcoming matches?
Aziz Turg'unboyev already earned his first cap in the Kuwait game and will likely continue to feature. Another contender is veteran midfielder Eldor Shomurodov, who has been deployed in a deeper role on occasion.
What does the loss to Uruguay reveal about Uzbekistan’s current squad depth?
The narrow 1‑2 defeat showed that while Uzbekistan can compete, the side leans heavily on key playmakers like Fayzullayev. Without him, the team struggled to retain possession and create clear‑cut chances, underscoring the need for a more robust midfield rotation.
