Uzbekistan National Team Coach Urges Players to Be More Aggressive and Improve Ball Control

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Head coach of Uzbekistan’s national football team Fabio Cannavaro shared his impressions following his team’s 2–0 victory over Kuwait.

“As I’ve said before, there are no easy matches — every opponent must be taken seriously. We started the game well, and what we worked on during training brought results. I’m glad the players listen to me and follow instructions. But there are still many aspects we need to improve. It was important to start the tournament with a win, and now I have more information about each player,” Cannavaro said.

Responding to a question about criticism, the coach emphasized that he takes it calmly: “Negativity will always exist. Wasn’t it there before? Of course, it was. But I don’t pay attention to it and focus only on my work. Even those who are struggling deserve respect. I told the players they need to play more aggressively. The first goal came precisely from the drills we practiced during training.”

Cannavaro also addressed the issue of penalty taking and player fitness: “Players decide who takes the penalty — it’s something they must feel. We’ll continue to refine this aspect. Everything can be improved through training. Fayzullaev is in good condition; we discussed it with the medical staff.”

Speaking about the team’s overall performance, the coach stressed the need for better control and focus: “We must keep improving. At 2–0, it’s crucial to maintain possession and not give the opponent any chances. Overall, the players met my expectations. We need to control the ball better — you can’t just run for 90 minutes without a clear purpose. It’s important that the players understand each other.”

In conclusion, Cannavaro highlighted that communication within the team remains the key to success: “Our football is built on many small details. We try to communicate with the players as much as possible. Even when we’re apart, we maintain contact and confidence through video sessions and analysis.”