Uzbekistan national team will play their Asian Qualifiers matches for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 reconvene in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
With the group having passed the halfway point, Saudi Arabia hold the advantage at the top going into the three-week run-in on home soil, Uzbekistan and Singapore remain within touching distance of the hosts while Palestine are bottom and practically out of contention.
The Venues
The remaining seven games of Group D will take place across two iconic grounds that have previously hosted domestic, continental and international Finals.
The larger of the two host venues in Riyadh is King Fahd International Stadium on the outskirts of the capital. Currently home to Saudi champions Al Hilal SFC, the stadium hosted the 1989 FIFA Youth Championship as well as the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 AFC Champions League final.
Located inside King Saud University campus in the west of Riyadh, the home ground of Al Nassr FC was opened in 2015 and redeveloped last year, seeing its stands painted yellow instead of the original blue and white.
The 25,000 capacity stadium is one of Saudi Arabia’s most modern football grounds and has hosted the 2019 AFC Champions League final first leg between Al Hilal and Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan.
Key Man for Uzbekistan
Eldor Shomurodov
Plying his trade in the Italian Serie A with Genoa, 25-year-old Shomurodov has made a strong impression since moving to Italy from Russian side Rostov, bagging seven goals and an assist in 30 appearances. His record for his country also speaks volumes, with 19 goals in 40 appearances.
Shomurodov sits joint in second place amongst the current Asian Qualifiers’ top scorers, level with Japan’s Takumi Minamino, UAE’s Ali Mabkhout and Qatar’s Almoez Ali with six goals each, just one goal behind Syria’s Omal Al Soma.
Since drawing a blank in the opening matchday against Palestine, the towering striker has found the net in each of the next four games for Uzbekistan, including braces against Singapore and Palestine.