And as the clock ticks away to next year’s FIFA World Cup, the Uzbek referee is returning as often as possible to his favourite verdant retreat to recharge his batteries.

For the reigning AFC Referee of the Year, the mental make-up is as important as the physical, often the fine line between a good match and a poor game.

“The psychological condition of referees is very important,” Irmatov told www.the-afc.com.

“I usually go to a mountainous place Chimgan (85 km from Tashkent) to relax. I like the fresh mountain air, the trees, and the nature.”

As is expected of a referee who is in the running for a prestigious World Cup assignment, fitness is not sacrificed at the altar of leisure.

“I like to run along the mountain trails,” said Irmatov, who turned 32 on August 9 and is the youngest of five Asian refereeing candidates for South Africa next June.

“It is an additional responsibility (being selected for the World Cup pool of referees),” said Irmatov, who also holds the distinction of being the first Uzbek to break into the elite of Asian refereeing.

“We are representing AFC and Asia at the world level.”

And with tact befitting a seasoned diplomat, Irmatov said the pressure, if any, was “positive”, saying, “It brings out the best in me.”

Irmatov, who has overseen more than 40 matches this year, is following a rigorous schedule in the run-up to the final selection.

“I am training according to the programmes from our FIFA Fitness Instructors. In addition, I also have a local Uzbek coach who helps me to train.”

The top Asian referee emphasised the pivotal role psychological health plays in his vocation.

“There is a psychological instructor appointed by FIFA for World Cup probables. After every match we fill out questionnaires and send them back. These are evaluated and advice is given to enable us to meet the pressures.”

With the number of Asian slots not yet decided, Irmatov was confident that all five probables - Matthew Breeze (Australia), Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia), Yuichi Nishimura (Japan) and Subkhiddin bin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia) and himself - could make it, turning 2010 into a red-letter year for Asian refereeing.

“It is possible that all of us can go. Why not? We just have prove that we are good. This happened in 2002 when we had five referees,” said Irmatov, referring to the Asian quintet of Ali Bujsaim (UAE), Saad Kameel Al Fadhli (Kuwait), Toru Kamikawa (Japan), Kim Young-joo (Korea Republic) and Jun Lu (China).

It remains to be seen if 2010 will bring about a repeat of 2002 but Irmatov is confident of Asia’s place in the scheme of world refereeing.

“AFC is now giving a lot of attention to refereeing. It will bear fruits soon. We had nothing like Project Future before. It is just a matter of time before Asian referees do AFC and the continent very proud.”