Uzbekistan National Team plays a friendly match against Iran on September 11 in Tashkent. Carlos Queiroz, head coach of the guest team, and Masoud Soleimani Shojaei, an attacking midfielder, attended a press conference ahead of the scheduled match and answered the questions of journalists.
"We have very nice and friendly relations with the Uzbekistan Football Association. They never turns us down whenever we ask for a friendly match. We thank the UFA for their sincere attitude and welcome.
We play against a strong team of well-trained players. I think this will be a great experience for us. It is obvious that only competent players are gathered under Héctor Cúper’s coaching.
We started preparations for the Asian Cup. In the scheduled games we are planning to give equal chances for experienced and young players.
I would like to emphasize that participation in the World Cup does not make the team favorite in the Asian Cup. If we want to become champions, we need to work hard and play cautiously.
We shouldn’t, for a fleeting second, forget that South Korea, Japan, and Uzbekistan will also be playing to win the champions title. The only way to compete them is to be always ready.
I do not normally express my opinions ahead of games, but today I can say that Uzbekistan has made a good decision by appointing Héctor Cúper as the head coach of the team. I wish the Uzbek team luck in their games except the one against us.
We have not signed a new contract with the Iranian Football Federation. We have reached a verbal agreement. It is to be legalized soon.
The reason why I am working with the team for 7 years is mutual trust shaped between me and the players. We have achieved results, positive and negative. The more I believe in them, the more they respond with pleasing results.
The players keep the same positive mood both during the training sessions and on the field throughout the match,” cited Queiroz’s words the press service of the UFA.
The game will be held at “Milliy” (National) stadium in Tashkent at 8:00 pm on September 11.
It should be reminded that Uzbekistan played draw with Syria in Héctor Cúper’s debut match.
