Uzbekistan club outplay Istiqlal in soccer friendly

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): The Isteqlal football team from Faryab province has lost its friendly match to Qarzliq squad from Uzbekistan’s Sarkhan Daria province.

In the friendly match, played in Tirmiz city on Sunday, Isteqlal was defeated by two goals by the Uzbek side.

A member of the Afghanistan Footabl Federation (AFF) contigent, Abdul Haq Faizi, told Pajhwok Afghan News the friendly was key to honing skills of footballers and their exposure.

Uzbekistan’s Sarkhan Darya Sports Dierector Sanjar Shah Muradov also called the match important for improving bilateral relations between the two countries.

Afghan Consul-General in Tirmiz Mohammad Idrees Zarshoi characterised the event as important for strengthening cultural links between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

The players described the friendly as  crucial to the development of their talent. A footballer from northern Faryab province, Habib Sharif, believed such games helped players improve their skills.

Prior to this, Afghanistan had clinched the 2024 U-17 Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Championship title by defeating Uzbekistan in the final.

aw/mud