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Vadim Abramov used a 4-3-3 in the comfortable 2-0 win over host Qatar in the tournament opener, with a pyramid midfield, which featured two screeners in Kapadze and Haydarov at the base, with experienced schemer Djeparov advanced of them, at the point, free to roam as he wished.
Up front, Geynrikh was at the head of the formation and at the heart of most of the good things Uzbekistan did. While he was afford much room to meet the ball, turn and face goal, he did a splendid job, always presenting, looking to bring team-mates into the game, or taking aim at goal.
To Geynrikh’s right was the experienced Shatskikh, who had a muted role, happy to get the ball, keep it and bring others into it, rarely taking on his opponent.
Uzbekistan’s main forward thrust came from the other side, where the diminutive Khasanov toyed with Qatari right back Hamid Ismaeil, either dribbling past him or driving beyond him without the ball.
Most of Uzbekistan’s best work involved the combination between Geynrikh and Khasanov.
Four years ago the Uzbeks got much forward thrust down the left from marauding left back Vitaliy Denisov, but here we saw a more measured approach from the left back Juraev, who appeared happy to sit and do his defensive duties, knowing Khasanov, ahead of him, was doing enough.
It was the same on the other side of the defence, where Bunyodkor’s Karpenko was happy to hold, perhaps to ensure Qatar’s dangerous wide-left man, Hussain Yaser, was neutralised.
It was the same in the centre of defence, where Ismailov and Ahmedov featured. The latter was superb, doing the job of the match by bottling Qatar’s major threat, Sebastian Quintana. Whether the striker went left, right, or dropped into central midfield, Ahmedov followed, impressively keeping pace, and what’s more, when he got on the ball, he used it beautifully.
It was no surprise to learn Ahmedov is a natural midfielder, for he was forever stepping forward, culturally caressing the ball and creating an extra number, and his wonderful bended strike to break the deadlock was befitting of the number nine on his back.
With Fabio Cesar well looked after by Kapadze and Haydarov, and the front three of Yasser, Quintana and Jaralla unable to shake the Uzbek back four, Abramov’s men were well in control, allowing Geynrikh and Khasanov to flourish.
Bruno Metsu had no answer, especially when Djeparov got going in the second period, releasing himself from the hold of Lawrence.
When Khasanov was replaced by Tursunov three-quarters of the way in, Shatskikh went to the left, Tursunov to the right, and the emphasis of Uzbekistan’s attack shifted from left to right.
The option of using both Khasanov and Tursunov, either side of Geynrikh, is one that might tempt Abramov later in the tournament.
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