Uzbekistan - Paraguay - 1:4 (Nishonov, 35 - Espinosa, 16, Baez, 17, Martinez, 24, Salas, 26).
After the annoying draw with the Netherlands, it was easier to comment. Goalkeeper Abbos Elmurodov cut off twice when leaving the gate, he seemed to be the last one. But yesterday Abbos almost didn't come out, and he dragged me well. Fifteen minutes of hope was his merit.
But something started with Jorge Espinosa's goal. Arnaldo Baez scored almost next. I don't know what Spaniard Jose Venancio Lopez said to the team through an interpreter during the break. I know it didn't help. Francisco Martinez and Javier Salas also scored two minutes apart.
In the end, there was nothing to lose except the chains on his legs. And Lopez released Mashrab Odilov instead of goalkeeper. This helped to score a goal by Husniddin Nishonov. Or maybe we should start right away without a goalkeeper, with an extra fielder? If there are not a large number of options with passes in equal compositions, and even glorious feints with two opponent players beaten end with the ball being taken away from the third.
In a parallel match, the Netherlands played a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica. And this leaves Uzbekistan with a vague chance of getting out of the group if it wins in the third round over Costa Rica. But even a country from Central America, in the jungle of which there are many wild monkeys, still has chances. Since Paraguay has already left the group from the first place, they can put a double on the Netherlands, save the foundation. And then what? Well, if we leave the group, what's next?
Do you think why Lopez literally forced our goalkeepers to play on the exits of an extra fielder? Because the coach does not see any other ways to teach the team to play collective football, rather than trying to beat everyone alone just because a partner is not offered close and convenient. To turn the carousel, as Paraguay did yesterday, you need to play closer to each other, and not stand at someone else's gate and wave your arms invitingly. And in general, it's not worth it, but to be constantly on the move. Oh, yes, the legs can get tired, but they still stomp home…
It's not worth sprinkling ashes on your head. So far, the level of our football is what it is today. Perhaps after the World Cup, young people who have watched these matches at least on TV or computer will turn on the right toggle switch in their heads. And then everything will change for us. Not before. I think so.
