The AFC official page has published an article about Uzbekistan U-17 national team head coach Islombek Ismoilov.
Islombek Ismoilov has the dream job of keeping a supremely talented squad happy as his red-hot Uzbekistan side looks to add the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 title to their 2012 win.
Uzbekistan have been simply irresistible, winning all their matches in regulation time – scoring 15 goals – and head coach Ismoilov have the tough task of ensuring everyone gets their time on the pitch.
At 32 years of age, Ismoilov is the youngest head coach in the tournament. It all started even earlier for Ismoilov, who at 27, managed FK Turon in the Uzbekistan Superliga between 2020 and 2021 where he oversaw 22 matches.
Ismoilov’s qualities were hugely admired and when the national team came calling, there was only one answer with the Under-14s the first squad assigned to him.
Growing the players as they moved to the Under-14s all the way to the Under-17s, Ismoilov has had time to mould the squad he wanted and the results are clear to see.
Continuing the trend of Uzbekistan’s impressive performance in continental age-group tournaments, Ismoilov’s side have proven indomitable Saudi Arabia 2025.
Preferring his team to always be the dominant side, attacking and constantly looking for goals – Uzbekistan have been a delight to watch.
Except for goalkeeper Bakhodir Izbaskanov, all the other players have been used by Ismoilov in their run to the final.
Ismoilov’s careful management – even leading goalscorer Asilbek Aliev has only started two matches – has born fruit with the squad’s morale high.
Options are aplenty for Ismoilov to mix and match with as many as 10 players involved in the 15 goals they have scored either as the scorers or the assist-makers.
Should they continue in this vein, Ismoilov’s Uzbekistan could be the first title winners since Islamic Republic of Iran in 2008 to lift the trophy by winning all the matches at the Finals.
