Turkmenistan 1-2 Uzbekistan Player Ratings : Igor Sergeev rated 7.5/10 as Uzbekistan Register a Dominating Victory over Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan locked horns against Uzbekistan for the second round fixtures of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 at the Olympic Stadium, Tashkent and after a thrilling encounter, Uzbekistan prevailed over the visitors 1-2.

The atmosphere was pumped up throughout the match with the support from the White Wolves for the home side, who remained very vocal in their chants. The game began in a balanced manner, with either side making a few initiatives to attack. However, as every minute ticked on the clock, the hosts started exerting their domination over the visitors and they harrased them with their attacks from the wings. In the 32nd minute, Jiyanov delivered the ball inside the six-yard area to unmarked Sergeev, who just had to tap in to open the accounts for his side. Around a dozen minutes later, the visitors conceded a penalty off Ballakov, and yet again Sergeev stepped up to the situation and found the back of the net, making the score 0-2. In the second half, Sayfiev was sent off with a direct red card and in the last quarter of the game, the visitors found their compensatory goal off a penalty with the services of Durdyyew. However, this goal alone was not enough to defeat the Uzbek side and the final score was 1-2 in favour of the hosts.

Here are the Turkmenistan vs Uzbekistan Player Ratings

Turkmenistan Player Ratings

Here are the Turkmenistan Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Rasul Charyyev - 5/10

Though Uzbekistan players kept the keeper was always on duty, with their moves inside the 18-yard box. Rasul also came out of his line to make some clearances when he sensed danger. But later, once his defence became weak, he had to concede back-to-back goals, and could have done nothing much to prevent them. Was subbed off following a bad injury.

Defenders

Abdy Basimov - 4/10

Had to struggle to match the pace of the opponents who made accelerated runs throughout the match on their left wing. Basimov was totally terrible when the opponents scored the opener as he left Sergeev completely unmarked in the penalty box, leading to the Uzbek side breaking the deadlock.

Yhlas Toyjanov - 4.5/10

Did not contribute much to the defence. Was unable to resist Sergeev and Jiyanov to a large extent and was just another average player.

Guychmyrat Annaguliyev - 5/10

Kept his eyes on the ball and blocked a good number of shots taken by the opponents. But later, the player was unable to prevent the opponents from scoring and was subbed off by the gaffter.

Arzuvguly - 4/10

Could have done better to prevent the first goal, as he misjudged the carpet cross that came from the right wing, paving the way for the opponent's scoring.

Yazgylych Gurbanov - 4/10

Had minimal defensive contributions throughout the first half and succumbed to the moves made by the opponents in their right wing. Was struggling and was called off for the team's interest.

Midfielders

Ybrayym Mammedov - 5/10

Mammedov displayed his flair in crafting creative moves and even managed to win some free kicks from some dangerous positions. Was later decent with neither extraordinary nor terrible performance.

Mirza Beknazarov - 5/10

Was decent in the midfield with some rare interceptions and duel conversions. Was one of the most physical Turkmenistan players out on the pitch and displayed a good intent from the starting whistle.

Velmyrat Ballakov - 4/10

Made a very careless handball just ahead of the break in a no-pressure situation that gifted the opponents a penalty, which they ultimately converted. Was very average in the match with no much positives.

Forward

Shanazar Tirkishov - 4/10

Was lively from minute one of the game in the wings. In the 42nd minute, the player received a yellow card following an argument with the referee over a VAR penalty check.

Altymyrat Annadurdiyev - 4/10

He was good with his pacey moves on the left flank during the first half, but when it came to crossing, the player lacked consistency. Did not manage to fulfill his duties as a striker.

Substitutes

Vepa Zhumaev - 5/10

Rahman Myratberdiyev - 5/10

Mikhail Titov - 5/10

Ahallyyev Rustem - 5/10

Ahmet Atayev - 5/10

Didar Durdyyew - 6/10

Scored the penalty with pace. Though the keeper dived on the same side, the pace beat the keeper, hit the post, and found the back of the net.

Akmamedov - NA

Manager

Rovshen Meredov - 5/10

The coach would have a mixed bag of reactions with some positives and a lot of lessons to learn from. He must analyse both of these and find out a formula to compete against Oman in the next round and ensure all three points to have a hope of moving further in the tournament.

Uzbekistan Player Ratings

Here are the Uzbekistan Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Botirali Ergashev - 6/10

The keeper was tested multiple times on target during the first half, and each and every time, the keeper rose to the occasion by making good saves for his side.

Defenders

Yuldoshev - 6/10

Was reliable at the backline and was able to resist Tirkishov from causing trouble for his team. Ventured deep into the attack and contributed offensively with his cameo roles in the final third.

Komilov - 6/10

The defender did not have much to do in the defence and was more or less positioned as a defensive midfielder throughout the match. Provided some reverse balls towards the attacking third and played pretty decently.

Khamraliev - 6/10

The defender was relieved from putting much workload as the opponents rarely made their attacks and tested the backline. Whenever they attacked, the initiatives were too feeble for the Uzbek backline to handle.

Sayfiev - 4.5/10

Had a decent performance for his team, but however to his bad luck, had to be sent off with a direct red card following a bad foul.

Midfielders

Abdullaev - 6.5/10

Though the name of Abdullaev was not celebrated throughout the match, his performance could not be underrated as his presence in the midfield proved crucial for the Uzbek players, maintaining a compact structure in the middle third. Played till the last and displayed good fitness.

Abdurauf Buriev - 6/10

Buriev rotated the positions between the left flank and the right flank and posed as a threat to the opponents with his quick off-the-ball movements and overlapping runs. Was the first player subbed off for Uzbekistan.

Ruslanbek Jiyanov - 7/10

Jiyanov sparked tensions for the opponents with his teasing crosses inside the box from both wings. In the 32nd minute, he delivered a carpet pass to Sergeev, who was completely unmarked, to break the deadlock of the match.

Diyor Khalmatov - 7/10

The 23-year-old had a stunning pace, and this pace, coupled with his on-the-ball movements, caused serious trouble for the opponents by piling pressure upon them, especially for Basimov, who was constantly dribbled past by the player.

Alisher Odilov - 6/10

Odilov was the silent player under the sticks for Uzbekistan. The player was able to win a good number of duels from the midfield and make interceptions for his side, along with making switchovers and supporting Sergeev.

Forward

Igor Sergeev - 7.5/10

Sergeev was a potent threat to the Turkmanistan players with his scoring boots. Was present at the right place at the right time to tap in the opener of the game. Around ten minutes later, he doubled the advantage for his side by blasting a penalty off the back of the net.

Substitutes

Odildzhon Khamrobekov - 5/10

Sherzod Nasrullaev - NA

Khozhimat Erkinov - NA

Osuton Urunov - NA

Alizhonov - NA

Shukurov - NA

Manager

Timur Kapadze - 7/10

The manager had a delightful day in the office as his side was able to dominate the opponents throughout the match, even when they were down to 10 men. He would have wished to prevent the penalty conceded and the red card.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Igor Sergeev