Tehran: Server Djeparov has set his sights on winning the remaining three FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 qualifiers as Uzbekistan prepare to face Group A leaders the Islamic Republic of Iran on Monday.
The Uzbeks go into the tie in third place, just a point behind second-place Korea Republic, but against an unbeaten Iran side who will advance to the tournament in Russia should they secure all three points at Azadi Stadium.
Uzbekistan have history of finishing in their current position of third before going on to lose intercontinental play-off games – with Bahrain in 2006 and Jordan in 2014 – something Djeparov is determined to avoid this in the current campaign.
“I think everything is very simple, we need to win the remaining three games so we won’t be in the play-offs and will go straight to the World Cup,” said the two-time AFC Player of the Year.
“[Being 34] is a big motivation for me to get to the World Cup but it’s not just for me, it’s for the people of Uzbekistan. People have been dreaming of the World Cup for a long tome and we need to realise these dreams.”
Djeparov, who with more than 120 caps to his name is the White Wolves’ record appearance maker, made his debut for the national team back in 2002 and was part of both play-off defeats.
In the qualifying campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Uzbekistan again finished third in their group, losing out to the Koreans by virtue of a solitary goal.
The Central Asians then went on to lose 9-8 in a penalty shootout to Jordan following a 2-2 aggregate scoreline in the intercontinental play-off as their World Cup dreams disappeared once more.
“We have been very strong for the last eight years, especially in the previous qualification campaign – that was the strongest generation I have ever played with,” said Djeparov.
“We were doing well, but we were one goal away from qualifying for the World Cup, which was very disappointing.
“After the game when we heard Korea had lost their game [to Iran] and thought about all the chances we missed, I was very upset. I didn’t want to play football anymore, I was thinking about quitting and didn’t even want to watch any games.”
The strong side Djeparov refers to was in fact the last to win a FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Iran in Tehran, where Ulugbek Bakayev’s goal secured a 1-0 victory in November 2012.
Team Melli went on to recover from that defeat and win their remaining three games to advance to Brazil and have not looked back since.
Five wins and two draws in the current campaign has left Carlos Queiroz’s team on the brink of qualification for a second successive World Cup, yet Djeparov remains optimistic ahead of Monday’s clash.
“Yes, this gives us confidence that we can beat any team, even in the away matches,” added Djeparov.
“We believe we have a chance to beat the strongest team in our group and that’s the confidence we received from that game.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com
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