Akmal Mozgovoy
CM
Box-to-Box
Apr 2, 1999 (27)
Right
5'11"
Redeems starting decision
Mozgovoy logged one assist (on a created chance), two interceptions and one clearance during Uzbekistan's 3-1 loss Saturday to DR Congo.
Analysis: After the Uzbekistan-Colombia game, Uzbekistan competed against both Portugal and DR Congo. After not playing the first matchup, he directly contributed to Uzbekistan's only other goal with a lobbed through-ball, which Eldor Shomurodov subsequently scored. Competing against an active Congo is how he and two others logged multiple interceptions, his first and second. For the World Cup, Shommurodov's statistical output also includes two clearances, one block and a created chance.
Battles hard in midfield
Mozgovoy had one shot (zero on goal) in Wednesday's 3-1 defeat versus Colombia.
Analysis: Mozgovoy had a difficult but determined evening in Wednesday's 1-3 defeat to Colombia at the Estadio Azteca, operating as a central midfielder who worked tirelessly to provide defensive cover and link play between the lines in a match where his side were systematically outplayed by a superior Colombian midfield. His most significant moment came late in the second half when he struck a powerful effort from distance that flew narrowly over the crossbar with Colombia leading 1-2, a chance that could have changed the entire dynamic of the closing stages had it gone in. His workrate and pressing intensity from central midfield give Uzbekistan an important defensive asset, and his ability to arrive late into dangerous positions will need to translate into more accurate finishing if his side are to find the goals they will need against Portugal.
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