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Sports
13/06/2008
No let-up insists Inileev
The Uzbeks have a perfect record after four games and became the first team to book their passage into the final round with a 1-0 win over Singapore in Tashkent last Saturday.
Inileev will take the opportunity to experiment with players when they host Lebanon at MHSK Stadium on Saturday but wants his team to maintain their momentum as they eye a spot in the World Cup finals for the first time.
"Although we have achieved our goal of qualifying for the final stage of the World Cup qualifiers, we will play for wins in both of our remaining matches," said the Uzbekistan coach.
"At the same time, we will continue to experiment with the squad and will use some new players in our matches against Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
"I want to give our young players a chance to represent their country at the international level and prove themselves."
Despite their perfect record, Inileev believes there are still areas for improvement for his team.
"I was disappointed with our overall team performance in last week’s match against Singapore.
"We will try to learn from our mistakes and improve this weekend."
While the Uzbeks have a maximum 12 points, the Lebanese are the only team yet to manage a point in the group.
Their cause has not been helped by the departure of players including midfielder Ramez Dayoub, who returned to Lebanon after last week’s 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia due to work commitments.
"We will go into our game against Uzbekistan with a depleted squad as we have players who had to leave the team after the game against Saudi Arabia," said coach Emile Rustom.
"It’s a shame because we were already missing players.
"Unfortunately things are not good going well for us and we are now playing only for pride. We have also just played two tough, physical matches against Saudi Arabia and that has affected the fitness of our players.
"Uzbekistan may have secured their place in the next round but that doesn’t mean that they will be going into the game to lose. They will try their best to win in order to remain at the top of the group."
Inileev will take the opportunity to experiment with players when they host Lebanon at MHSK Stadium on Saturday but wants his team to maintain their momentum as they eye a spot in the World Cup finals for the first time.
"Although we have achieved our goal of qualifying for the final stage of the World Cup qualifiers, we will play for wins in both of our remaining matches," said the Uzbekistan coach.
"At the same time, we will continue to experiment with the squad and will use some new players in our matches against Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
"I want to give our young players a chance to represent their country at the international level and prove themselves."
Despite their perfect record, Inileev believes there are still areas for improvement for his team.
"I was disappointed with our overall team performance in last week’s match against Singapore.
"We will try to learn from our mistakes and improve this weekend."
While the Uzbeks have a maximum 12 points, the Lebanese are the only team yet to manage a point in the group.
Their cause has not been helped by the departure of players including midfielder Ramez Dayoub, who returned to Lebanon after last week’s 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia due to work commitments.
"We will go into our game against Uzbekistan with a depleted squad as we have players who had to leave the team after the game against Saudi Arabia," said coach Emile Rustom.
"It’s a shame because we were already missing players.
"Unfortunately things are not good going well for us and we are now playing only for pride. We have also just played two tough, physical matches against Saudi Arabia and that has affected the fitness of our players.
"Uzbekistan may have secured their place in the next round but that doesn’t mean that they will be going into the game to lose. They will try their best to win in order to remain at the top of the group."
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