Sawt Falasteen - Uzbekistan's debut World Cup crowns surge in football popularity

A June 17 opening match against Colombia in Mexico City is seen as a prize itself, capping a rapid rise in the popularity of football in the landlocked Central Asian country.

"If we look at the last few years, not only the senior team, but also at youth level, our national sides are now the best in Asia," Abdusaid Ruzimatov, a 22-year-old fan told AFP, at a gala match in the capital Tashkent last month.

He was one of 30,000 packed into the national stadium for a friendly before the team -- nicknamed the White Wolves -- departed for North America.

Uzbekistan's youth teams have won Asian Cups at the under-23, under-20 and under-17 level, with the men's team now a solid force in the Asian confederation.

The success comes hand-in-hand with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's "New Uzbekistan" project -- reforms meant to liberalise, open-up and raise the profile of the former Soviet republic.

Through his decade in power, he has courted foreign investment, relaxed border restrictions and sought to push Uzbekistan onto the world stage, though rights groups and critics say the country has strong authoritarian traits, with free speech and opposition quashed.

- Defensive strengths -

The historic qualification was made possible in part by the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams.

But it is also a sign of the country's increasing football pedigree.

Ranked 50th in the FIFA rankings, the national team is now reaping the rewards of a decade-long government strategy to develop football through a focus on youth training.

The country also has a huge potential talent pool to draw on, with roughly one-third of its 37-million inhabitants under 20.

"I think our national team is especially strong in defence," 57-year-old doctor Bekmurod Khaydarov told AFP.

"Cannavaro was a defender, so he has strengthened that area. I hope no one will be able to break through," he added.

Appointed last year, Cannavaro -- who captained Italy to World Cup glory in 2006 -- has not set any targets for his squad.

"This is our first World Cup. So it's important not to create unnecessary pressure on the players, but on the contrary to give them the chance to enjoy the game," he said at a press conference in mid-May.

Statistics firm Opta gives them a 12 percent chance of qualifying from the group.

And they are 2000-to-one rank outsiders to lift the trophy -- in what would go down as the most remarkable upset in World Cup history.

Cannavaro is instead eying the 2027 Asian Cup, where Uzbekistan regularly qualifies for the latter rounds.

"If the World Cup becomes a platform for us to gain experience, then at the Asian Cup we will already be fighting for the result," he said.

- 'Historic achievement' -

After the opener against Colombia, Uzbekistan will face Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group K.

The pre-tournament farewell match was a rare chance for fans to get a glimpse of star defender Abdukodir Khusanov -- of Manchester City -- on home turf.

The side's two other standout players -- foward Eldor Shomurodov and attacking midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev -- also play abroad, complementing a squad of otherwise little-known domestic-league players.

In Tashkent, the government is making no secret of its joy at the country having earned its place on the sporting world stage.

"Our footballers can rightfully be called the heroes of our time, having opened a new page in the history of Uzbekistan. They have brought immense joy to the people," President Mirziyoyev said at a meeting with the squad in Tashkent last month.

"Footballers have become a true example for young people, interest in sports has grown even further, and figures of literature and the arts, entrepreneurs, and the wider public continue to draw inspiration from this historic achievement," his office said in a statement.

X.Habash--SF-PST