After the national team of Uzbekistan qualified for the World Championship, the interest in football in our country increased. In Uzbekistan, which was considered a football country from the beginning, this sport is becoming more popular, it is becoming a topic of discussion by fans and mass media more than before. In particular, the attention of our players who fought for the World Cup qualification has increased.
We are conducting interviews with the players who played in the World Cup qualifiers, showed themselves, and have absorbed a lot of hard work. It’s the turn of Abbas Faizullayev, the attacking midfielder of the club “Istanbul Basaksehir” and the national team. During our trip to Istanbul, we organized an exclusive interview with our player, who became a favorite of the fans of our national team.
Competition in the national team
– I went to the national team as one of the youngest players. But you still need to be ready for that competition. Maybe I wasn’t ready at the time, but in big football it’s hard to break through that kind of competition if you don’t show your confidence on the pitch. Besides, the pressure in the national team is strong, there are more experienced players there.
A place is never guaranteed in football. Based on your condition at that time, if you are in good form, the coach will play you if he sees fit. If you are in a bad shape, no one will take such a risk because the responsibility of the national team is strong.
From Russia to Turkey
We won prizes at CSKA, I was happy about that. However, when the new coach arrived, he changed my position on the field. I think that caused my game to drop. Because I have not played in such a position before, I have not performed such functions. I stopped growing a little because of that, I think.
I had a year left on my contract. I wanted to make a change in my career, to play in Europe, to participate in European Cups. Everything was fine in Moscow, I was loved by both the club and the fans. However, the desire to play in European Cups, to look for a springboard to one of the top-5 championships, played an important role in choosing Turkey. Due to the political situation, it was impossible to leave Russia for a stronger place. There is no such barrier in Turkey.
Now we have a good relationship with the head coach Nuri Shahin, we have practice games. I am happy with my time in Turkey.
In the beginning, it was not easy here either. It took time to adjust. Besides, the coach before Shahin didn’t let me play. I was sad. Then, when I just started participating in the games, I got injured in the national team. However, I looked for the fault in myself and I can say that these pauses benefited me. I sat down and thought it all out. It won’t go like this, I told myself.
About European ambitions
My ideal is to play in “Barcelona”. But realistically, it is very difficult. It is wise to go to one of the average teams in Spain and get some practice. We’ll see you later. I have always dreamed of playing in Spain and I will not give up on this goal. If money was a priority, I could have gone to Saudi Arabia because I had that option. I am in Turkey precisely because of my desire to play in one of the top-5 championships.
About the ticket to the World Cup
The road to the World Cup was not easy. After the referee blew the whistle in the game in Abu Dhabi, all my dreams and my entire career passed before my eyes. It was as if a mountain had been lifted from my shoulders. My father and brother were in the stadium. I saw their happiness. I am not a person who cries much, but at that moment I couldn’t hold back tears of joy.
We went to the next match against Qatar easily, without any pressure, freely, just to enjoy football.
“At the World Cup, we…”
The dream is on its way, but realistically…
No one goes to the World Cup expecting to lose. We should want the maximum from ourselves. If we leave the group, I don’t think anyone will be upset about it. As long as the key players stay healthy, we can get out of the group. I wouldn’t deny it. Both Colombia and Portugal are strong rivals. But everything can happen in football.
I am mentally ready for the World Cup. After dreaming and achieving for so long, it is impossible and we have no right to go to bed unprepared. Parents, relatives, Uzbekistan is watching us, after all.
You can watch the full interview with Abbas Faizullayev on Kun.uz’s YouTube page.
