Uzbekistan's national team will play friendly matches against Russia and Saudi Arabia during the November FIFA international window. These fixtures will be the first international tests under new head coach Fabio Cannavaro.

The White Wolves will host Russia in Tashkent on 12 November before travelling to face Saudi Arabia in Doha on 17 November. Cannavaro has announced the squad called up for the matches. "The squad list for the friendly matches to be held within the November FIFA international window has been announced," the Italian coach said.

Cannavaro's First Test

These friendlies provide a key opportunity for the new manager to assess the senior squad and implement his ideas. Uzbekistan's recent form has been mixed. In their last two official matches in October, they secured a 4-1 victory over Syria but then fell to a 2-0 defeat against South Korea. In the loss to South Korea, Son Heung-Min opened the scoring in the 6th minute, with Oh Se-Hun adding a second on the hour mark.

The win over Syria featured goals from Sherzod Esanov, Akmal Mozgovoy, and a brace from Kamil' Norchaev. These results offer Cannavaro immediate points of analysis regarding the team's attacking output and defensive solidity. The team's form over its last two matches reads one win and one defeat. Kamil' Norchaev, with his two goals against Syria, emerges as a key attacking threat for the squad to build upon.

The Squad Selection

Cannavaro's call-up includes experienced campaigners like Eldor Shomurodov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Ruslan Jiyanov, Jasur Jaloliddinov, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Abduvokhid Nematov. It also features promising talents such as Vladimir Nazarov, Edem Nemanov, Samandar Muratbaev, and Bekhruz Uktamov, indicating a blend of established quality and fresh options.

These matches serve as vital preparation for Uzbekistan's upcoming competitive commitments. The team will be looking to build cohesion and refine their approach ahead of future qualification campaigns.

Focus now shifts to the first friendly against Russia. The match is scheduled for 12 November at the Pakhtakor Central Stadium in Tashkent. This is the team's first fixture in November, with the subsequent match against Saudi Arabia also on the schedule. The squad continues its preparations following its last official outing, a 2-0 loss to South Korea on 6 October.

The report in full is at dunyo.info