Bekhruz Karimov
RWB
Overlapping Full Back
Aug 7, 2007 (19)
Right
5'11"
Four tackles in 5-0 loss
Karimov registered one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Tuesday's 5-0 defeat against Portugal. He also added four tackles, three clearances and five fouls committed.
Analysis: Karimov was a right wing-back, but given how much the team was under pressure defensively, he was a defender most of the time. Karimov has two shots and two chances created in two starts in the World Cup while also adding six tackles and four clearances.
Starts against Portugal
Karimov (undisclosed) is in the starting XI for Tuesday's clash against Portugal.
Analysis: Karimov overcame the uncertainty that had surrounded him after training individually on Sunday rather than with the full squad, with Uzbekistan's monitoring of his progress over the coming hours returning a positive enough outcome for the coaching staff to hand him a starting role for the crucial group stage fixture against Portugal. His ability to step up from individual work to a starting role in such a short space of time is an encouraging sign for a side heading into one of the most demanding fixtures of their World Cup campaign. His presence in the lineup gives Uzbekistan a more complete squad to call upon as they look to make an impact against the European opposition.
Training individually
Karimov (undisclosed) was training individually Sunday as Uzbekistan hope to have him back in the lineup in time for Tuesday's clash against Portugal, according to UZA UZ.
Analysis: Karimov's individual work on Sunday suggests he is dealing with an issue and isn't training with the full squad, leaving some uncertainty over his exact recovery timeline. Uzbekistan will continue monitoring his progress closely ahead of what promises to be a crucial group stage fixture against Portugal on Tuesday.
Active on both ends
Karimov recorded two shots (zero on goal), one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Wednesday's 3-1 loss against Colombia.
Analysis: Karimov was Uzbekistan's most defensively active wide player in Wednesday's 1-3 defeat to Colombia, registering three interceptions, two shots and one accurate cross from the right wingback position in a match where his primary duty was to contain Johan Mojica's overlapping runs while also providing attacking width when his side had possession. The wingback covered enormous ground across 90 minutes and was one of the few Uzbek players to read Colombia's transitional play effectively, with his three interceptions the most of any Uzbek player on the night. His ability to contribute in both directions from the right side gives Uzbekistan an important dual-threat option in their remaining group games, and his defensive intelligence will be particularly valuable against Portugal in the next fixture.
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