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Uzbekistan coach ‘promises’ to beat S. Korea in quarterfinals

January 19, 2015
Uzbekistan’s Shavkatjon Mulladjanov kicks the ball as North Korea’s Pak Kwang Ryong attempts to block during the first round soccer match of the AFC Asia Cup between Uzbekistan and North Korea in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

Uzbekistan’’s Shavkatjon Mulladjanov, right, and North Korea’’s Pak Kwang Ryong battle for the ball during the first round soccer match of the AFC Asia Cup. Uzbekistan coach Mirdjalal Kasimov says they promise to take out South Korea also. (AP)

MELBOURNE (Yonhap) — Ahead of a quarterfinals showdown against South Korea at the AFC Asian Cup, Uzbekistan coach Mirdjalal Kasimov has thrown down the gauntlet, promising to send his opponent packing in the first knockout match.

Uzbekistan defeated Saudi Arabia 3-1 in Melbourne on Sunday to secure the second seed in Group B and will face the Group A winner South Korea back in Melbourne on Thursday.

“We promise to beat Korea,” Kasimov was quoted as saying on the tournament’s website. “We always think about losing to Korea in the World Cup qualifiers and I think the players will do their best. It will be an interesting game.”

Kasimov was referring to the 1-0 loss to South Korea in June 2013 during the final Asian qualification round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Akmal Shorakhmedov had an own goal in the match held in Seoul. In September 2012, Uzbekistan held South Korea to a 2-2 draw in Tashkent, where the teams traded an own goal apiece.

Overall, South Korea has eight wins, one loss and two draws against Uzbekistan.

Kasimov’s captain, Server Djeparov, is playing his club football for South Korea’s Seongnam FC. Another midfielder, Timur Kapadze, has been with Incheon United in South Korea.

Though Djeparov was benched against Saudi Arabia after Uzbekistan lost to China earlier, Kasimov said he still has faith in the 32-year-old with 106 caps.

“Server Djeparov is very experienced and I think he will help us in this tournament in the future,” the coach added.