After their groundbreaking victory at the 2025 U17 Asian Cup, the Uzbekistan U17 football squad was awarded medals along with shiny new vehicles by the government.
|
|
The Uzbekistan U17 team members received a Chevrolet Cobalt each for their victory at the U17 Asian Cup. Image via Instagram/@uzbekistanfa. |
On April 21, the squad arrived back home to an enthusiastic reception at Tashkent International Airport after completing a perfect run in Saudi Arabia.
The Uzbekistan Prime Minister, Abdulla Aripov, warmly welcomed head coach Islombek Ismoilov and the players himself. At the event, Aripov recited a message of congratulations from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and issued a decree acknowledging the team’s accomplishment.
Coach Ismailov received the prestigious title of "Honored Coach of Uzbekistan" due to his significant contributions to developing young talent in soccer within the nation. Every participant was presented with the "Builder of Tomorrow" medal, which stands as one of the most esteemed awards in Uzbek sports. Gezata UZ reported.
Aside from the medals, every team member also got a Chevrolet vehicle. Coach Ismailov was bestowed with a Chevrolet Equinox, whereas each player received a Chevrolet Cobalt. Since the players have not yet reached the legal age for driving, these cars were officially handed over to their parents instead.
"Our nation has consistently been home to heroes and courageous individuals. The players demonstrated this yet again on the field. I am grateful to the lads for accomplishing what seemed like an insurmountable feat," Ismoilov stated to the media.
Uzbekistan breezed through the competition without losing a single match, securing victories in all six games they played. During the group stage, they defeated Thailand 4-1, China 2-1, and host nation Saudi Arabia 3-0. Advancing further, Uzbekistan went on to defeat the United Arab Emirates 3-1 in the quarterfinals, demolished North Korea 3-0 in the semis, and concluded their run with a 2-0 victory against Saudi Arabia in the final game.
Despite securing an astonishing 1-1 tie with Japan, Vietnam concluded their campaign at the group stage.
Thanks to the trophy, Uzbekistan has earned a position in the 2025 U17 World Cup, scheduled for November in Qatar.