Underdog Football

The only place for daily news from the most obscure football arenas

Monday, August 25, 2008

Rivaldo in Bunyodkor?!

After all the rumours concerning Samuel Eto'o and his move to Bunyodkor, formerly known as Kuruvchi, and then signing of Luizao, ASInfo informed that Rivaldo terminated his AEK Athens contract and signed for Bunyodkor. However, the official site of the Uzbek club says nothing about it. Is it real or is it just another marketing game?

Source: pilkanozna.pl

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Sunday, August 24, 2008

Kedah make history

It's legendary! Malaysian treble winners from last season - Kedah - repeated their success in every area this year. This shows that Kedah is unbeatable in the domestic competitions, including Malaysian Cup, FA Cup and Super League. Kedah are also quarter-finalists of the AFC Cup. However, lately the Malaysian FA banned foreigners from playing in their league. Will Kedah suffer? It's bound to be seen.

Source: the-afc.com

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New international signing joins Uzbek league

After failing to secure Samuel Eto'o's transfer, PFC Bunyodkor continue looking for reinforcements who can at the same time provide media attention. The newest discovery is Luizao, ex-Brazilian youth national team player. The 21-year-old defender will face tough competition in the center of Bunyodkor's defence, with experienced Gochguliev and Ashurmatov as rivals.

Source: pfc-kuruvchi.com

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Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Great success for Kazakh youth!

In the European Youth Championship qualification round, Kazakhstan crushed Poland 3:0! This is a day of glory for the Kazakh team, as Poland fielded the likes of Rzeźniczak and Kuklis who have already made their debut in the senior national team. Even though many players were missing in the Polish squad, such a big margin of victory can only cause sheer happiness among the young Kazakh team.

Kazakhstan - Poland 3:0 (Nuserbaev 12' 90', Kenbaev 31')

Kazakhstan are by now third in their qualifying group, behind Spain and Russia and ahead of Poland and Georgia.

Source: 90minut.pl

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Monday, August 18, 2008

Record streak for Pakhtakor!

After the 6:1 win against Sugdiyona in the Oliy Liga, reigning champions Pakhtakor set a new record. This game was the 47th one in a row without a loss for the cotton pickers. The goals were scored by Magdeev (2), Z. Tadzhiev (3), Pinto. Zayniddin Tadzhiev is now the top scorer for Pakhtakor, with 9 goals. Bunyodkor is still 5 points ahead of Pakhtakor but the reigning champions have one game in hand.

Source: pakhtakor.uz/pfc-kuruvchi.com

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Saturday, August 16, 2008

Uzbekistan squad called up

Uzbek manager Rauf Inileev called up 18 players for the friendly re-grouping of the national team before the World Cup qualifiers continue. There are many important missings and the squad looks like that:

Goalkeepers: Ignatiy Nesterov (Pakhtakor), Timur Zhuraev (Pakhtakor)

Defenders: Anvar Gofurov (Mash'al), Aleksei Nikolaev (Bunyodkor), Khayrullo Karimov (Bunyodkor), Bakhtiyor Ashurmatov (Bunyodkor), Sakhob Zhuraev (Bunyodkor), Anzur Ismoilov (Pakhtakor), Ilkhom Suyonov (Pakhtakor)

Midfielders: Odil Akhmedov (Pakhtakor), Ildor Magdeev (Pakhtakor), Aziz Khaydarov (Bunyodkor), Viktor Karpenko (Bunyodkor), Zhasur Khasanov (Bunyodkor)

Strikers: Aleksandr Geynrikh (Pakhtakor), Zayniddin Tozhiev (Pakhtakor), Ulugbek Bakaev (Bunyodkor), Pavel Solomin (Navbahor)

Source: the-uff.com

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Underdogs in European Cups

After three days of my laziness, I am coming back with some fresh news from the underdog football arenas. Let's see how the underdogs did in the European Cups:

Big applause should go to Anorthosis Famagusta. The Cypriot team crushed Greek giants Olympiakos 3:0 and have a great chance to progress to the group stage of the UEFA Champions' League. Other underdogs in the CL played either each other or did not perform very well.

It was a great day for Cyprus also in the UEFA Cup, as Omonoia Nicosia managed to defeat AEK Athens in Greece! It's gonna be really hard for the former legendary player and current president Demis Nikolaidis' team to get through Omonoia.

Midtjylland also managed to cause a surprise with their away win in Manchester. Just like Lech Poznan, who crushed Grasshopper Club... 6:0! Let's also keep an eye on Gyor, who lost 1:2 in Stuttgart and can somehow sneak through if they play well at home.

Source: soccerway.com

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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

AFC Challenge Cup medals given

In the third place playoff, DPR Korea defeated Myanmar with a large margin - 4:0. Even though Koreans counted on the final spot, they had to satisfy themselves with a third place. In the big final game, the hosts - India - won 4:1 against Tajikistan. Park Song-Chol from North Korea won the top goalscorer award with 6 goals.

Source: the-afc.com/wikipedia.org

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Monday, August 11, 2008

New stadium in Tashkent

After the visit of Joan Laporta in Tashkent, a new stadium was set to be built in the capital of Uzbekistan. The new arena will have a capacity of 35000 people and will work as Budyonkor ground. The team has also signed a deal with FC Barcelona by which they will have a chance to train at the Catalan club's facilities and play a friendly between the teams. Until the stadium is built, Budyonkor will continue playing at the MHSK ground.

Source: the-afc.com

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Saturday, August 9, 2008

BIG DERBY :: Bunyodkor - Pakhtakor

Three-year-old PFC Bunyodkor (formerly known as Kuruvchi) drew 1:1 in a big derby of Tashkent against the legendary Pakhtakor team. What is more, Bunyodkor was a better team and this draw can be treated as a loss of 2 points. They lost a goal in additional time of the second half and Server Djeparov missed a penalty earlier. What is more, Pakhtakor played with one man less as Ismailov was sent of in the 77th minute. Goals were scored by Villanueva (8, B) and Tojiev (92, P). To my surprise, Murad Zukhurov took Pavel Bugalo's place in goal in this match. 18210 people watch the game.








Source: pfc-kuruvchi.com/pakhtakor.uz

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Friday, August 8, 2008

WAFF Championship kicks off

In Iran, the 5th edition of West Asian Football Federation Championship was started yesterday. In the inaugural match the hosts crushed Palestine 3:0. In group B Syria drew goalless with last year's hosts Jordan. Six teams are taking part in the championship, with Qatar complementing the first, and Oman the second group. The biggest missing of this tournament is the absence of Iraq. The silver medal holders disbanded their team and did not sign up for the 2008 WAFF Championship.

Source: wikipedia.org/the-afc.com

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AFC Challenge Cup

I somehow didn't write any updates concerning the AFC Challenge Cup that's taking place in India. Eight teams were competing in the final competition, with 4 left to play for medals now. The only undefeated team in the group phase - North Korea - was beaten by Tajikistan in the semi finals. The coach of Tajikistan, Pulod Kodirov, was more than happy to see the reigning champions advance to the final. However, it will be hard for Tajikistan to retain the title as they will be facing the host team of India. The teams met in the group phase and the match ended in a 1:1 draw. India eliminated Myanmar in the semi final. Both gold and bronze medal matches will be played on Sunday.

Source: the-afc.com

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Great derby tonight!

In the shade of the Beijing Summer Olympics, the great derby will take place tonight. I am of course talking about Pakhtakor - Bunyodkor match in Uzbek Oliy Liga. Last three matches ended in a draw and if tonight's game also ends like this, Bunyodkor will be pretty sure of their championship dream coming true. However, with only two points separating the teams it is still possible for Pakhtakor to jump ahead of the club sponsored by Neftgazmontaj. Bunyodkor will be double-motivated as their new affiliate club FC Barcelona sent their chairman Joan Laporta to watch the match. Maybe Server Djeparov will finally seal his European move? On the other hand Pakhtakor will do their best to retain the title. Big game is expected, so you're all welcome to MHSK Stadium in Tashkent.



Source: pfc-kuruvchi.com/pakhtakor.uz/blaugrana.pl/soccerway.com

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Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Pakhtakor '79 Memorial Tournament

Remembering the Dniprodzerzhynsk tragedy of 1979 when the whole squad of Pakhtakor Tashkent died, the club decided to organize a memorial tournament to honor the victims. The eight participating teams were split into two groups. Group A consists of Pakhtakor, RShVSMF, Andizhan and Chilanzar. The second group will see the rivalry of RKOR, DYuSSh-16, Tashkent Oblast Team and Yangier.



Source: pakhtakor.uz/youtube.com

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Ibrahim Fazeel confirms golden boot credentials

Following Victory SC's tremendous 5:0 win against Thinadhoo, the winners' striker Ibrahim Fazeel confirmed his golden boot credentials by netting a hat-trick in this match. He is currently the top scorer of Maldivian league with 16 goals, ahead of Ahmed Thoriq (New Radiant, 11) and Ashad Ali (Victory SC, 10).

Source: maldivesoccer.com

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Kosovo heads for second win over Saudis

After a surprise win against Saudi Arabia last June, the Kosovar national team will have a chance to prove a point once again. The two teams will play each other on August 22nd as a part of the Saudi's European tour. The remaining friendlies will be played by the Asian side against Paraguay and Sampdoria.

Source: the-afc.com

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Monday, August 4, 2008

No foreigners in Malaysia

The Malaysian football authorities banned foreigners from playing in their league. The decision was explained by the need of giving the chance to domestic players. This is a sad thing to inform and it seems we are getting back to stone age. Shame on you, Malaysian FA.

Source: the-afc.com

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There's something wrong in Syria...

After great season with Al-Karama (AFC Champions' League quarter-finals, league champions, cup winners), the prodigious Syrian team suffered a huge morale setback as their coach Mohammed Kwid stepped down. The decision of the legenedary manager was mainly caused by the board's unwillingness to improve contracts of the club's key players.

Source: the-afc.com

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Kuruvchi is NO MORE!

Yesterday the Tashkent-based club by the name of Kuruvchi abandoned their name which they acquired in 2005 when they were founded. After winning the semi-final of the Uzbek Cup against AGMK Almalik, the board of PFC decided to change the name of the club to Bunyodkor. The reasons for this had been stated by Tavakkal Kadyrovich, vice-president of the club:

"Kuruvchi founded in middle of 2005 and in the beginning club had an amateur status. At the beginning club was found for members one of our structures for worker-builders and to visit football matches when they had a free time and to watch beautiful matches and share victory of their team together and relax their nerves after hard work. In a word we tried to organize for them spare time and I think with the given task we completely satisfied. In each year Kuruvchi grows to the top with high progress. In a short time we have progressed and conquered high positions in Uzbekistan but in Asia too. Progressing in sport results we reached to a level which should satisfied in modern professional football club. Taking into account all stage of changes and novelties in the history of our club we decided to rename club to Bunyodkor"




Kuruvchi/Bunyodkor were not the only ones who progressed to the Uzbek Cup final. The others were their rivals Pakhtakor, who crushed Neftchi Ferghana 3:0.

Source: pfc-kuruvchi.com/the-afc.com

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