President Mirziyoyev Honors Uzbekistan’s National Team After Stunning CAFA Win

The CAFA Nations Cup final has taken place at Tashkent’s Olympic Stadium, attended by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Uzbekistan faced Iran in a tense match that ended 0-0 in regular time, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

The winner was decided in extra time, when Khojiakbar Alijonov scored a decisive header in the 120th minute, securing victory for the home side.

With the win, Uzbekistan lifted the CAFA Nations Cup for the first time, with players receiving gold medals and the trophy from President Mirziyoyev. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and other officials also attended the award ceremony.

The tournament was a significant milestone in Uzbekistan’s World Cup preparations, ending a 13-year winless streak against Iran. In the inaugural 2023 edition, Uzbekistan had lost 0-1 to Iran in the final.

The biennial tournament, organized by the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA), featured teams from Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, India, and Oman alongside the finalists.

For Tashkent’s Olympic Village, the final was the first major international sporting event, and Uzbekistan’s victory added special symbolic value to the newly built arenas, which are poised to host future sporting achievements and historic moments.