Asian Cup 2015: Uzbekistan eye Socceroos revenge after 2011 semi-final disaster

IT was one of Australia’s grandest moments, but for Uzbekistan, their 6-0 loss to the Socceroos at the 2011 Asian Cup ranks among their worst memories.

Australia's midfielder Harry Kewell (R) vies for the ball with Uzbekistan's midfielder Azizbek Haydarov during their 2011 Asian Cup semi-final football match in the Qatari capital Doha on January 25, 2011. AFP PHOTO/YASSER AL-ZAYYAT

IT was one of Australia’s grandest moments on the continental stage, but for Uzbekistan, their 6-0 loss to the Socceroos at the 2011 Asian Cup ranks among their worst memories.

So it’s no surprise they still want revenge for their semi-final embarrassment from four years ago in Doha, and what better place to carry it out than on Australian soil.

Harry Kewell causes the Uzbekistan defence problems back in 2011.

“All the people here want them,” Uzbekistan midfielder Azizbek Haydarov told The National newspaper.

“They say ‘next time against Australia, give maximum’ – this is our target.”

“Next time” could be as early as next week’s quarter-finals, depending on the remaining Group A and Group B results.

“The Uzbekistan national team only fights. Without fight, we don’t win,” Haydarov said as he sounded a warning to not only the Socceroos but China, who the Uzbeks meet on Wednesday night at Brisbane Stadium.

Apart from Haydarov, Uzbekistan will look to their captain, Server Djeparov, for inspiration in their quest for Asian Cup redemption.

The two-time Asian Football Confederation player of the year has made 105 appearances for his country, having debuted in 2002.

At 32, Djeparov knows time is running out for him to win an Asian Cup with Uzbekistan.

Perhaps just as satisfying would be guiding his nation to a maiden World Cup finals appearance.

Robbie Kruse played a big part in the win over Uzbekistan in 2011.

It would be fitting if that occurred in 2018, when the World Cup will be staged in Russia.

Uzbekistan gained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, and played their first football match against Tajikistan in June 1992.

And while Djeparov no longer plays his club football in his homeland, instead plying his trade with South Korean outfit Seongnam FC, he is excited about the game’s future in his country of birth.

“Football in Uzbekistan is extremely popular and the games infrastructure is developing fast,” Djeparov told the Football Channel Asia website.

“Many clubs have recently opened new stadiums or renovated old ones with FC Bunyodkor investing in a massive new training facility.”

Djeparov knows that Asian Cup success would further enhance football’s progress in Uzbekistan.

“We try to go as far as we can. Our goal is to win the cup,” he said.