AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023: Uzbekistan announce 23-member squad

The White Wolves are a well-drilled and a highly competent unit.

With the AFC U-17 Asian Cup set to begin in a few days time, Uzbekistan U-17 have announced their 23-man squad for the competition. They will be facing off against India, Vietnam and Japan in what is expected to be a very competitive group stage.

The White Wolves have won this championship once in their history, back when it was called the AFC U-16 Championship in 2016. After last featuring in such a competition in 2016 (when it was held in India), they will be making a long-awaited return to Asia’s biggest youth competition.

Uzbekistan’s squad for U-17 Asian Cup revealed

Rakmatullev Jomoliddin’s side are considered as among the outside contenders to win the competition and will definitely pose major threat to all their opponents in the group stages. The White Wolves have travelled with a relatively strong squad consisting of their brightest young talent to help them compete strongly in the challenging tournament in Thailand.

Here is a look at the Uzbekistan U-17 23-man squad for the U-17 Asian Cup.

Goalkeepers: Diyorbek Tulaboev, Muhammadyusuf Sobirov, Asilbek Numonov

Defenders: Mukhammad-Bobur, Asrorbek Otakhonov, Ozodbek Uktamov, Bekhruz Djumatov, Sherzodbek Abdulboriev, Mamadalikhon Olimov, Dilshod Abdullaev

Midfielders: Aminbek Yokubov, Azizbek Tulkunbekov, Lazizbek Mirzaev, Ikromov Abdulhamid, Mukhammedali Reimov, Ollabergan Karimov, Oybek Urmonjonov

Forwards: Mekhruz Shukurullaev, Amirbek Saidov, Abdulkhamid Turgunboev, Kuvonchbek Abraev, Shodiyor Shodiboev, Nikolaos Akopov

The ones to watch out for

The White Wolves have taken a number of attack-minded players, making it clear that they will be going with a front-footed approach and take the game to any side they face. They have a number of young players from top Uzbekistan clubs like FC Nasaf, Pakhtakor Tashkent and Lokomotiv Taskent.

There are some particular players who need to be kept an eye out for, as they might be ready to break through in the upcoming competition. That includes their bright attacking midfielder Lazizbek Mirzaev, who has been in bright form for the Uzbekistan U-17 team – having scored one goal in four competitive appearances. He’s known for his pace and ability to make stuff happen with his creativity, as well as score goal at regular intervals.

Abdulkhamid Turgunboev, who scored against India U-17 in a friendly game in January, is also a clinical goal-scorer who can run riot in the final third if given too much free room to roam around. Shodiyor Shodiboev is another menacing forward capable of using his clever movement and finishing skills to torment teams, as he scored against Australia earlier this year in the Antalya Youth Cup too.

The White Wolves head into the AFC U-17 Asian Cup in decent form after having won four of three of their last four friendly games played in preparation for this one. Knowing their attacking mindset and talented group of players, Uzbekistan can prove to be a daunting task for any team in the upcoming tournament and one nobody can take lightly at any stage of the competition.