Uzbekistan U-23 Captain: Indonesia U-23 Is A Strong And Central Youth Team Developing

Umarali Rakhminaliev, captain of Uzbekistan U-23 (doc. AFC).

JAKARTA - Indonesia U-23 and Uzbekistan U-23 will clash in the semifinals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Monday, April 29, 2024.

Umarali Rakhminaliev admits that Garuda Muda is not an arbitrary team, especially after silencing South Korea U-23 in the quarter-finals.

Rakhminaliev said Indonesia U-23 contained an experienced squad that had performed regularly in the senior national team.

Most recently, many Indonesian U-23 players are currently defending the Red-White in the 2023 Asian Cup and 2026 World Cup Qualification.

In addition, the 20-year-old captain also understands that at club level, several Garuda Muda players have played for European teams.

Call it Ivar Jenner (FC Utrecht), Marselino (KMSK Deinze), Rafael Struick (ADO Den Hague), and Nathan Tjoe (SC Heerenveen). Bahkwan Witan Sulaeman has also played in Slovak, Serbia, and Poland clubs.

"Indonesia has a strong team. They beat the South Korean Republic U-23 (in the quarter-finals). I think they are a growing youth team."

"We have analyzed their team. We are ready for a difficult match. I focus on helping the team and we just want to achieve the target of advancing to the final. Hopefully we can win and (continue) become champions," said Rakhminaliev.

Rakhminaliev's belief is not without reason. Some U-23 Uzbekistan players also have abundant experiences.

For example, Rakhminaliev has also played with the senior national team in the 2023 Asian Cup. He is also a team star in the 2023 U-20 Asian Cup and 2023 U-23 World Cup.

"We are very happy to be here. We have an important game and we are ready. Our last win (against Saudi Arabia U-23) was huge for us and we are very motivated."

"But it is important to keep our emotions and energy (for the match against Indonesia U-23). I think we have enough motivation for the match later," he said.

Rakhminaliev agrees that he needs an experienced team to beat Indonesia U-23 even though Garuda Muda is a debutant team in the U-23 Asian Cup.

He believes he can make it to the final because not a few Uzbekistan U-23 ammunition also have experience playing in Europe.

For example, Abdokodir Khusanov (Lens), Ibrokhilil Yuldoshev (Kairat), Abbosbek Fayzullaev (CSKA Moscow), and Rakhminaliev who had just moved to Rubin Kazan in January 2024.

"The Russian league has given me experience and improvement as a player. I share experiences with teammates (when I was with the national team)," said the midfielder.