Kasimov, who takes over the managerial reins from Khikmat Ergashev, was previously assistant coach for the Uzbekistan Olympic and senior national teams, working alongside AFC Coach of the Year Rauf Inileev as the Central Asians’ reached the quarter-finals of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.

In his first match in charge, Kasimov could guarantee Kuruvchi a place in next year’s AFC Champions League if he can lead the side to victory over bottom-of-the-table Vobkent in the final round of the Uzbekistan league on Thursday.

Defeating Vobkent will see Kuruvchi finish the season at least one point ahead of Mash’al, who qualified to the 2006 AFC Champions League after finishing Uzbekistan runners-up in 2005 when Kasimov was part of the squad.

Meanwhile, the ex-Pakhtakor midfielder will be looking to deny his former club their sixth successive domestic double when Kuruvchi meet the league champions in the Uzbekistan Cup final on 9 December.