[FM24] Hexagon Hijinks: Victor Oanase's Global Champions League Quest - Halfway House - Three Done, Three Left

[KibworthBull]

June 2061

We only have 6 games left in the league before it splits in two. 

Javier Torres puts us closer to promotion with a double. It's confirmed as the best-ever finish for the club.

Dragan Bogdanović smashes a hattrick and then sits back and wonders where his champagne is. Apparently Assists are more in important than goals. Serbia will have to wait.

It's almost becoming pointless splitting the league. Top two are sorted, 3rd are 6 points clear of 4th.

It also seems like I can only take national jobs that begin with a U.

As much as I don't enjoy the national jobs, I have some things to tick off and it will help me find the best and brightest Uzbeks.

 

[KibworthBull]

July 2061

Loyalty is massive for me.

12 players have played for me across 2 clubs. 

Now, 1 has played across 3.

Bob Croft played 146 times for Quintana at the start of his career, a further 36 at York United, and now at the end of his career he is trying Uzbekistan for size.

The reality is that he is an expensive backup - but it ticks something off so happy days.

Ilxomjon Ergashev has been bought in as well - he's a Uzbeki Striker from the top tier - not prolific in his career but better than what we had already.

After a routine cup victory, it was back to league action away at the bottom of the table side and Mo Khan smashed in a hat-trick to secure another 3 points.

We continue to march on

[KibworthBull]

August 2061

Hudoyor Yo'ldoshev picks up the MoTM award for the away victory over 3rd-placed FK Iftixor Oltiariq.

Our entire cup run in the Uzbek Cup has been against Non-League sides - can't complain about that, the latest was 3rd tier Yangiyer, we sneak through and have a Semi-Final to look forward to.

We get League rivals Qu'qon in September. But that's then.

Top of the table clash Klaxon - we welcome Qu'qon, the only side who have beaten us this season come to our house, and do it again. It puts them top of the table.

We will meet again next season in the top flight.

But before we get into the next month, we have our first International match - away to Iraq.

We have 7 players in the squad who can make their debuts

12 of the squad are from Paxtakor - the dominant force in the country.

We lead 2-1 but fail to see it through but technically our players scored more than theirs did!

5 debutants

[KibworthBull]

September 2061

Straight away it's another international match - away in the Philippines, I'm just blindly rotating the side at the moment as I try and work out what I have got (not that there is much!)

Two goals from Jasurbek Yo'ldoshev secure us the victory against the side 70 places lower than us in the rankings. 

Before we jump back into the Promotion battle and our 3rd contest against Qu'qon. Our No.1 keeper is out for it and most of the rest of the campaign. Bob Croft steps up.

The draw is our best result against them so far and it secures our place at the top table next season.

As ever when we win big, it's the Muhammadqodir Pirimov show - a couple of goals and an assist gets him the MoTM award. Again. 8 times in 19 games.

Ilxomjon Ergashev is a striker who we bought in to star in the top tier, he has 1 goal in 4 league games so far, but helped us beat 3rd place Andijon in the final league game of the month.

We end the month with a Cup Semi-Final against our rival - Qu'qon.

Neither side would have expected to reach this stage. Neither side want to face Paxtakor in the final. Guatemalan semi-regular Alejandro Moreno got us going and we never looked back.

I'll need to check the rules but we might have qualified for a Continental Cup just by getting to the final, as if we lose, Paxtakor are winning the league.

Time will tell.

[KibworthBull]

October 2061

We are popping out for a Chinese (Taipei)

Sandro Mihalic and Umid Holiqov are both new names in the squad.

It was fair to say, it was one-sided.

Before this, Andjion come to town - a reminder that we have already gained promotion so this is fairly meaningless, slow meander to the end of the domestic season. 

A goal at the start, and one at the end, gives us the three points - Ilxomjon Ergashev doing the damage.

We went toe-to-toe with Qu'qon again, and once again they showed us that next season might be tough. 

It means with one game left we need results to go in our favour to win the league.

[KibworthBull]

November 2061

Only a win will do in the final league game of the season.

But first we need to announce our squad for this month's friendlies.

Azizbek Saidov is new to the squad, a 29-year-old midfielder who probably won't be around for long. Goran Jovanović returns and will take the gloves.

We got our win in the league, but it's not enough as Qu'qon completed an unbeaten season. BUT Dragan Bogdanović ticks off Serbia in the last game of the season. 

Meanwhile, at the international level, a goal glut sees us past Kyrgyzstan. Izzatbek Sultonov gets the glory with two goals.

Unbelievably Jasurbek Yo'ldoshev has only 2 goals this season - he has 19 for finishing - he got 2 against Indonesia.

 

All eyes on the Cup Final.

Paxtakor - the greatest side in Uzbekistan. Bookies aren't even taking bets on this one.

We don't get a sniff. But we get about 400k in match receipts. So Happy Days!

[KibworthBull]

2062 Season

It's time for some top flight Uzbekistani football.

We've been busy in the recruitment.  The main players to mention, Jasurbek Tolibjonov is a top flight standard keeper, Said Marei and Yousef Al-Khatib both have decent ability at left back. Most of the signings have experience of the top flight. We are expected to struggle, but at least we will give it a go. Also not shown as he was a very late addition, and I've already taken too many screenshots for my liking - Karidioula Ripama a Burkinese Centre Back.

The players are convinced we are light in the DMC area - they are correct.

So we've signed a Singapore International for £41k. 

And just before the season started we levelled up our keeper.

Estonian Sergey Andreev comes in and he looks a bit tasty

Finally the football can return!

[KibworthBull]

March 2062

We were Runners-Up in the Uzbek Cup last year, but did have a fairly nice ride the whole way. 

We start away to lower league oppo. It's a goal fest. 8 of them. 6 for us. Most importantly we can tick off our 140th nation - Kyrgyzstan, thanks to a goal and a MOTM from Dilmurod Abdullayev

Plenty of debut goals as well for others.

Before we jet off on our international jollies, we have our top-flight debut. New Ukbek striker Javohir Toshmatov grabs a double and we are off and running

At an international level we have Australia and Japan in friendlies, both should beat us but these games are for seeing where we are, rather than winning.

Full Back Javohir Xursanov is the only debutant in the squad. 

We put Australia under a lot of pressure but lost, and similar against Japan - the Japanese winner was in the 93rd minute. Soooo close to a draw.

Both results are encouraging.

 

[KibworthBull]

April 2062

Paxtakor are the best team in the country by a mile, so this will be our 1st big test of the season.

And holy smokes, it went in our favour. We smashed them.

Javohir Toshmatov is impressing his international manager (me...) and he gets a hattrick as we top the table against Dinamo.

We dominated in the Uzbek Cup but only a solitary Mo Khan goal to show for it - 35 shots. Our Northern Marianan Striker missed a penalty.

The winning every week was bound to fall over eventually, a draw and then a defeat put a slight dampener on the month

Javier Torres scores late to rescue a draw at the end of the month.

Staying up is all that matters.

Based on how it's going so far. That should be fine.

[KibworthBull]

May 2062

Kelvin Tembo is a new face, someone who should do very well with us. He can't do much until the transfer window opens in July. But once that comes, boy we should pick up the Tembo...

But let's focus on the ones that can play for now.

A dull 0-0 kicks off the month, before we repeat with another 0-0 before a frankly ridiculous results against Navbahor. For context they were 8 wins from 8 before we smashed them all over with 4 unanswered goals. Javier Torres with a double.

Kelvin Tembo can play in the cup, and it took him 19 minutes to open his club account. We disposed of lower league opponents again. Pirimov with a double and yet another MOTM award.

We almost made it through a month without conceding but in the 91st minute, we let Bunyodkor Toshkent score.

Everything is awesome

[KibworthBull]

June 2062

Just the two games this month break the mid(ish) season break

Mansur Ismatullayev gets the only goal of the game in the opener before we renew rivalry with Qo'qon who are having a tougher time than us.

We are a different beast this year. Victory, and it was sweet.

Navbahor lost so we close the gap at the top. Paxtakor are on our heels but we've beaten them already so we don't fear anyone.

The transfer window is about to open, out go 3 foreign slots, in come a Centre Back from Russia - Igor, and 2 defensively minded Uzbeks.

[KibworthBull]

July 2062

I didn't need a striker, but Niyom was too good looking to resist. Only 18 as well. It's a nation I don't have in my collection.

Ariel Angeles is a fantastic player - he's not, he's dreadful, but he was the best I could find from the Northern Mariana Islands - one of the harder nations to tick off in the challenge. He does the biz in the cup and it's nation #141

We had an unhappy Estonian (that's the worst isn't it) so have bought another one in - Centre Back Ivar Suppi was signed on a free. He can also cover the DMC role and we had people complaining about that as well.

Northern Mariana Islands

[KibworthBull]

August 2062

2 more squad players have departed. Both did a good job to get us into this level, but we've moved on, and so have they now.

Paxtakor finally demonstrates why they are the dominant side historically. They move above us in the table.

A shed ton of goals - 8 actually - as we return to winning ways, Tempo and Pirimov both on the double.

It's almost impossible to keeper Pirimov out of the goals, another couple sees us past Dinamo Samarqand

We were the runners-up in the cup last year, but fell a long way short this year, a poor performance and result.

Back to the league and Pirimov. You know the rest.

2nd place and well in the mix

Next month Uzbekistan face New Zealand and Bolivia - we name the standard squad, with one new name - Sandro Mihalić as 3rd choice keeper.

[KibworthBull]

September 2062

Before we can enjoy the international window, we play relegation-threatened Olmaliq - the point does no one any favours.

Both New Zealand and Bolivia are close enough in the rankings to suggest we have a chance. However slim.

Or not.. We slip to 103rd in the world.

The league returns and Kelvin Tembo puts us top - because the other sides around us didn't play, but I'll take it

Karidioula Ripama puts in a brilliant defensive display to ensure a clean sheet and three points against Neftchi Farg'ona, before we grabbed a draw when we deserved nothing at Nasaf.

5 games left, 3rd place Navbahor next.

[KibworthBull]

October 2062

I asked the assistant manager to name the squad for the next friendlies as the screens in the national pool are so incredibly slow. International Management is a pile of crap within this game.

We storm into an early lead against Qatar before everyone realises where we sit in the grand scheme and they fly back and condemn us to another defeat.

Surely though we can beat Bangladesh? Yes, we can. Convincingly.

Domestically Navbahor took revenge on us for killing off their unbeaten record earlier in the season, before Kelvin Tembo resues a point in the other match this month.

3 games left. Looks like 3rd is where we finish

 

 

[KibworthBull]

November 2062

We sign 3 of our intake. It's the best we've had but there isn't much to right home about. 2 of them are AMCs and we don't use that position.

We go again with the International side - now I've worked out having over 4,000 players in the national pool might impact the performance.... who'd knew...

Dilyaver Toshboyev and Laziz Rahimov are new names, both Paxtakor kids. Toshboyev is a regular at 19, Rahimov is 16 and is yet to feature.

El Salvador will prove to be a challenging tie, and in true fashion, we are unable to lay a glove on them. Dilyaver Toshboyev made his debut. The Maldives was like a holiday. Laziz Rahimov netted 5 times on his professional (and it was also his international) debut. 16 years old.

On the domestic scene, we have 4 injuries and 4 suspensions for our first league game. We are very nearly just playing for pride. And we are very proud.

Kelvin Tembo with a treble. Mathematically we cannot get into the top 2 now, but that's okay. We are proud.

Before we travelled to Qu'qon and 2 injury time goals stole a point.

[KibworthBull]

December 2062

One game left. A dead rubber. We are secured in 3rd place.

Our opponents need a win to stay up. Pirimov was not in the mood to allow that to happen.

Paxtakor won another league title.

We were much better going forward than defending

Next month is the Asian Nations Cup and our first competitive matches for Uzbekistan, we have a tough group. Iran are the holders, Qatar beat us a few months ago and North Korea, who knows what they are like.

[KibworthBull]

January 2063

It's Asian Cup time.

Pirimov (from this parish) is included - on merit, no Uzbeki has more goals and assists than him this season. If he can make the step up then we'll have some real threat on the right hand side.

Pirimov makes his debut against Jordan, and lasts 43 minutes before going off injured, and will miss the entire competition. Javlon Farhodov comes in to replace him.

Izzatbek Sultonov takes the **** against North Korea and grabs 6 of our 9 - this should help our goal difference if it comes to it.

A huge win against Qatar is bitter sweet as Sultonov goes off injured and could miss the rest of our stay in the competition. Time will tell.

We should qualify now. Neither Qatar or North Korea can catch us.

Right Back Rustam Abdullayev misses the Iran match due to suspension. He's the only right back in the squad (natural)

We lose to Iran, but have 8 players booked - this will surely cost us at some point.

But we progress AND that's the important bit.

Syria, 65th in the world, will be very tough. They always seemed to beat my Ugandan side back in the day.

12 of our squad are 1 booking away from a suspension, so even if we win, it might not be worth it.

In the end it wasn't something we needed to worry about.

 

 

[KibworthBull]

February 2063

Again?

Yep, more comebacks than Lampard at Chelsea.

First order of business is the end of the international element of the save. Never gives me the enjoyment it needs to.

We won 9 of the 18 games.

Domestically we start in the Uzbek Cup, away to lower league opponents, and it's as straightforward as you would hope.

As it's a new season, we have some new recruits.

Meliboyev is a 16 year old Left Back, very highly rated, Ikromov is a Left Winger, 22 and massively improves that side of the pitch. Klidje is a Right Back and again moves us forward, and A'zamov is a young option in the middle of the pitch.

Edited May 22 by KibworthBull

[KibworthBull]

March 2063

A new league season and another new signing. A Kazakh-born striker called Evgenii Tsoi. On a free and hopeful he can tick that nation off.

The dominant force, Paxtakor, is a tough season opener. A point gained, rather than 2 dropped.

New boy Shaxboz Ikromov got us going at home, with the only goal of the game, to give us 4 points from two games.

[KibworthBull]

April 2063

Istiqlol Farg'ona in the league, and the cup. What a place to start.

They got promoted last season and currently sit at the bottom of the table

Pirimov and Tembo teach them the lessons they need to learn to compete at this level. In the 3 days between the games, they appear to have learnt nothing.

5 more goals and our wingers are tearing it up. Shaxboz Ikromov is a cheat code right now.

Singaporean Ng Thian Keong grabs us a last gasp equaliser and it also ticks off the nation.

Nicely poised in 2nd, just behind Paxtakor.

 

Singapore:

[KibworthBull]

May 2063

This doesn't count as a break - I was on holiday!

A bruising battle first up, but Thailand is ticked off thanks to Niyom Yooyen scoring and getting MOTM, he's 19 and looks rather good for this level, so he's likely to stick around for a bit. Teenager Baxrom Meliboyev sees red. That's how he celebrates his call-up to the U20 World Cup.

Our ground expansion has been completed. Before the board congratulated themselves too much, when I arrived we were playing in a 15,000-capacity ground... Improvements eh...

We celebrated with a 5-1 victory, which was 0-0 after an hour. Pirimov the usual dominator.

Kazkhakstani Evgenii Tsoi scored a double in a less-than-impressive draw at Bunyodkor.  He makes it nation no.144 though.

A complete reserve side for the Uzbek Cup - 5th tier opponents. Keeper Sergey Andreev plays up front and scores twice to tick off Estonia. #145

All in all a very good month, I should go away more often.

Only two teams unbeaten. Us and the favourites.

Thailand

Estonia

Kazhakstan

[KibworthBull]

June 2063

A 4 game month. 

Nasaf Qarshi are having a good season, 4th in the table, the point keeps our unbeaten season going but it's 2 dropped.

We are decimated through injuries, international call-ups and suspensions for the Metallurg match, both keepers and several key starts are missing. We were never in the tie.

Everybody returns for the Toshkent game and everyone leaves happy, back to winning ways.

Just turned 17, it was a MoTM display from Baxrom Meliboyev as we made it back to back victories against the bottom side in the league.

Our only league match next month is against Paxtakor, failure to win will mean that we won't catch them.

[KibworthBull]

July 2063

We have a transfer window opening.

And a new right winger, from that ever-reliable source - ASEC Mimosas. He comes in on a free as he was out of contract.

We do however have to balance the books. Keong ticked off Singapore but took up the FGN slot, Toshmatov was brilliant last season but we have better options now. Jo was bought in as a promising youngster but never kicked on, and Isabayev was a solid Centre Back that deserves to play every week.

On the pitch we strolled through the cup, Kone on debut doing "bits", before a Niyom Yooyen-inspired win against Paxtakor that really puts the cat amongst the title pigeons.

Tight at the top

[KibworthBull]

August 2063

1,500 games into the save. Looking good for 88.

A bit of wheeling and dealing before the window closed.

In comes a new Right Back - Uzbeki Shavkat Akramov and Turkmenistani DMC, Mekan Khadzhimuradov - both on a good wage and both should feature very nicely in the first team. Both are current internationals.

Out goes back up Centre Back Javohir Karimov.

Game No. 1500 was an 8-1 win. Lovely.

We are keeping up with Paxtakor as we look to secure Continental Football as a minimum, Kone gets injured in the win at Olmaliq.

Our old foes Qu'qon are beaten, Shavkat Akramov scoring his first and getting the champagne from Right Back. 

Despite being second fiddle at Right Wing, Pirimov still knows when to shine, a 23rd MoTM award in 67 games in the Cup. 

We finished the month with a creaky victory away at Neftchi, Mansur Ismatullayev scoring a penalty.

A two-horse race for the title. 7 games remaining. We are outsiders.

[KibworthBull]

September 2063

3 games this month as we look to secure that top 2 spot, and the Asian Champions League.

Niyom Yooyen scores 7 but doesn't get the MoTM award - that goes to semi-fit Kelvin Tembo, Yangiyer will probably have the relegation play-off in the future.

Victory over Dinamo Samarqand was made even sweeter with the news that Paxtakor dropped two points. We are neck and neck.

Our joy is short lived as we finished the month with a defeat. 

Paxtakor win.

We now have 28 days until our next match. 4 more games left.

[KibworthBull]

October 2063

The long wait for a game. 28 days and then we play the same team twice in four days.

Youth Intake day has come and gone. None of them are good enough.

Lots of goals and the double is done over Navbahor. 

3 games left in the league and a cup final. 

[KibworthBull]

November and December 2063

A lacklustre performance, but Pirimov scores twice late on and we sneak past Nasaf, and it's also a big moment for the club

Paxtakor lose their next match, we make mincemeat of Metallurg, which means it all comes down to the last game of the season.

It's our 2nd Cup final. We've never won it.

Evgenii Tsoi emphatically corrects the previous statement: We've won a cup in Asia.

In the league, all eyes are on the final day, winner takes all. If we win, it doesn't matter what Paxtakor do.

Paxtakor lost. Our result becomes irrelevant.

Champions of Uzbekistan. We know what we are.

I'm also now a favourite person in the club.

Final League Table.

[KibworthBull]

February 2064

It's a new year and a new season. Our first where we compete in the Asian Champions League. That's later, first we need some domestic dominance.

We continue our mission to find the best Uzbek talent - or more accurately, the best Uzbek talent that wants to come to us.

Davron Karimov is a Defensive Midfielder who should play a key role in our defence of both trophies. Doston G'aniev is a Right Winger that is very highly thought of and is one of two that we've stolen away from Neftchi. Farruh Boymatov is the other, and one of the two Centre Backs we've bought in. Farruh is young and will develop off the bench, and Abduvohid Ergashev is an experienced player who does the basics well - no frills. I imagine he has a moustache.

Boburjon Suleymanov is the new back up keeper.

In the out tray. Igor Yegorov and Karidioula Ripama were both foreign options, Ripama did an okay job, Yegorov did not. The rest were either too old, too young, or not good enough.

In the only game of the month, we don't lift the Super Cup

 

[KibworthBull]

March 2064

It's a bit of a non-event month.

The season starts with 1 game in the middle of the month, and then nothing until April.

Joseph Klidjé has a stormer at Right Back and we win the game. Our Togolese guy is eligible for a Uzbekistan passport in a few months. Which means we can find a foreigner!!

And that's all that has happened this month.

Dull.

Not even a semi-amusing news item to share.

[KibworthBull]

April 2064

We have games!!! Firstly, it's the Uzbek Cup, at home to some minnows. 10 goals. Evgenii Tsoi with the match ball.

Tsoi is at it again as we returned to the league against Qu'qon. The Kazakhistan International has moved to 33 goals - he leads the Europeans currently.

We make it 3 out of 3 in the league before we travelled to the side with 0 points from 3... we all know what that means.

Yep - Doston G'aniev scores his first goals in the league, that's what.

We are top of the league!

[KibworthBull]

May 2064

Doston G'aniev is coming to the boil nicely, a couple more goals helps us see of Samarqand before the biggie. Away to Paxtakor.

We were 0-1, then 3-1, before 3-4 and finally 5-4 winners. Not one for people with heart conditions. Shaxboz Ikromov heavily involved with 4 assists.

Bunyodkor spoil our fun - we blow a 2 goal lead, miss a penalty and let them score twice after the 90th minute.

A difficult cup tie against fellow Superleaguers Neftchi was settled nice and early through Kelvin Tembo's strike and then Junior Kone took over.

We are scoring plenty, but also letting in plenty. A 60/40 split at Mettalurg. G'aniev with his first hat-trick.

Surxon got promoted last season - they are likely to go down this.

The usual suspects at the top. 

[KibworthBull]

June 2064

2 games in June. Both at the back end of the month.

I've signed a new deal - it will take me past my 90th birthday.

When the football returned, early goals from Niyom Yooyen and Abduvohid Ergashev took us on our way to victory over Navbahor, before some late goals ensured we sneak a point in the other match of the month.

 

[KibworthBull]

July 2064

A sad day. The MoTM king is no more. 24 awards in 84 games.

He deserves to play week in and week out; sadly, that's no longer achievable here.

Another month with 2 games, 1 in the cup.

Paxtakor in the cup. Not fair really. New keeper Jesse Seda makes his debut, the Kenyan signed on a free at the end of June.

We progress and are now massive favourites to retain our trophy.

A few complaints from the group that we were lacking in the Midfield has prompted us to nick a player off our rivals

Kelvin Tembo gives us the points in the only league game of the month.

The league as we approach the midway point.

 

[sherwinriga]

I have been following this thread for a long time and I have to say that you're almost there in finishing it! So, can I see the FIFA World Rankings of all nations across the world as well as how the continental competitions (both club and national teams) and FIFA World Cup would be looked like. And of course, where are they now for your teams that you managed and the best players in the current season? I can't wait to see you getting some more progress out there after I love the idea of that challenge! Good luck in Uzbekistan!

[KibworthBull]

On 08/06/2024 at 15:31, sherwinriga said:

I have been following this thread for a long time and I have to say that you're almost there in finishing it! So, can I see the FIFA World Rankings of all nations across the world as well as how the continental competitions (both club and national teams) and FIFA World Cup would be looked like. And of course, where are they now for your teams that you managed and the best players in the current season? I can't wait to see you getting some more progress out there after I love the idea of that challenge! Good luck in Uzbekistan!

Thanks for following. I reckon I have at least 30 more seasons to go. South America will be "a challenge" - the only viable nations for me are Peru, Bolivia or Venezuela. And that's after I crack Uzbekistan. Europe's probably the easiest continent left - lots of biggish nations without a win. 

Notable events:

• 2058 World Cup winners were Serbia
• 2064 Euro winners were Norway
• England has dominated the European Champions League with the current big 6 all winning it at some point
• The Nations Ranking's are pretty close to how they are today in real life.

 

[KibworthBull]

August 2064

Straight into match action, home against 3rd place Nasaf, who bloody our noses and beat us 1-0.

Right Back Klidje is now a dual national.

He celebrates with a man of the match display as we blow away Qu'qon.

Paxtakor seem to be falling apart. Our victory over Olmaliq puts us into 2nd place, but 5 points ahead of the big fish.

We have our Asian Champions League opponents

No idea what it really means.

We gain revenge on Nasaf and make the Semi Finals of the Uzbek Cup. Shaxboz Ikromov the difference.

Disaster falls, and we fall to a 2nd defeat in the month, this time against Qizilqum.

We even went behind against bottom club Mash'al before Doston Ganiev remembered to do what he does. 6 of the best for the side, 3 for Doston.

Both ourselves and Nasaf have dropped points this month.

 

[KibworthBull]

September 2064

We have a new addition. Defensive Midfielder, Thierry Fokou joins on a free from Canon Yaounde. He's 25 and can't play in the league as the registration window is closed but can play in the Asian Champs League and the Uzbek Cup.

A 7 goal thriller was the aperitif to the ACL - Kelvin Tembo with a treble.

Al-Qadsiah take our cherry. They are a Saudi team. We stormed into a 3-1 lead after 20 and then needed an 86th goal to snatch a 4-4 draw. Entertaining.

Paxtakor are 5th and onto their 2nd manager of the season - they have imploded, but we need to be professional to stick the knife in even further. A 2-0 lead blown.

Bunyodkor are 3rd and we really needed a win. Fortunately, we have Tembo and he scored in stoppage time in both halves to ensure we keep pace with Nasaf.

 

We trail by 3 points with 6 games left. The final match of the season is AT Nasaf.

[KibworthBull]

October 2064

It was a massive month.

Progress in 3 formats.

Hopefully.

Al-Duhail, who hails from Qatar, and our first home ACL match. We concede in the 97th minute to lose. Gutting.

There are no concerns in the league with a 4-0 win at home to Metallurg, Shaxboz Ikromov getting us off to the perfect start. Nasaf lost so we top the table.

Our goal difference is quite something this year - we concede 2 away at Surxon but score 7, the usual suspects on the scoresheet, before we all board a plane for Syria.

The ground holds 75,000 people, lets hope they share gate receipts. They blow us away and we don't get any cash from it.

In all 3 games in the ACL so far we have performed as well as our opponents but every mistake has been punished. As you would hope it would.

We end the month top of the table, level with Nasaf, thanks to victory over Navbahor. It means that at the very least we have Asian Champions League football next season.

This month saw Davron Karimov become the first Uzbeki to make his International Debut at the club, he also scored against Metallurg to see us progress to the final. Quite a month.

We end the league month stronger than we started.

[KibworthBull]

November 2064

It's crunch time, someone, this month, will win the league. It could, and probably should, be us.

Our debt has nearly hit £1.5m and without any real prize money on offer it's difficult to know how to turn it around, but we plod on. A trip to Qatar is first up.

Niyom Yooyen, the man who ticked off Thailand, gives us our first win in the ACL. It's a shame he's moving on at the end of the campaign.

In the league, we dominate Neftchi but the game remains goalless. Nasaf win, so they lead by 2 with 2 to play.

We simply must beat Lokomotiv Toshkent. Nasaf win, so defeat, or even a draw, hands them the title. We concede a 94th-minute equaliser and the league is not retained.

Elyor Suleymanov has come through our youth system and is crap, so is about to be released, but he did score an ACL goal. A winner against Saudi side, Al-Qadsiah.

We can still qualify, if we win and results go our way.

That man, Elyor Suleymanov, gives us a hollow victory over Nasaf to end the league season.

Close to retaining, but not close enough.

[KibworthBull]

December 2064

Two more games in 2064.

One could win us a trophy, the other could see our ACL adventure continuing into the early months of 2065.

46 shots. And we win on penalties. 

It's very simple in the ACL.

If we beat Al-Ahli and Al-Duhail beat Al-Qadsiah, I think we qualify. Providing Al-Duhail doesn't score plenty. In reality 2nd is likely where the story ends.

We do our bit, Junior Kone scored twice before the game was 10 minutes old. 

But the other game was drawn so we are out.

[KibworthBull]

February 2065

A new season. And some new Uzbeki's to get excited about.

If you've been around a while, you'll remember when I was manager of the national side we had someone who scored 6 goals on his international debut, at 16 years old. Laziz Rahimov is now 18 years old and has 6 senior goals in 14 games - most in a loan spell last year in the 2nd tier. Paxtakor allowed us to bring him in for 1.5k - he will do just fine for us.

Dilyaver Toshboyev is a Centre Half, and another signed from Paxtakor, he has been on my radar since I arrived in Uzbekistan, a national team regular and someone who was the main man for Paxtakor last year, in what was a struggling side. He improves our defensive options and will play alongside Obed Mintah, a Ghanaian Centre Back, who massively improves the squad.

We had no issues scoring last year, it was the defence that cost us the title. 

The final "steal" from Paxtakor is Victor Akramov, a 17 year old, very raw right winger, who might turn into something quite useful. Or might not. Time will tell.

Kids and Squad Players have departed. The only real exception to this is Niyom Yooyen who has gone back to Thailand.

We still have our "Estonian Problem" - Ivan Suppi and Sergey Andreev, who are taking up 16% of our wage bill and two slots in foreign positions. We must find a way to move them on, as we are stuck with them for at least 12 months.

One game this month, and a chance for us to win the only piece of Silverware currently missing in Uzbekistan.

Junior Kone inspires us to a piece of silverware.

[KibworthBull]

March 2065

The transfer window has slammed shut. The Estonian problem remains.

Kelvin Tembo continues to bang in the goals. The two on the opening day bring him to 66 for the club. 

Another 5 in the 2nd match of the season. He's on fire!!!

[KibworthBull]

April 2065

An international break meant that March was very short. April has a lot more games, including Nasaf away. And that's first up.

Laziz Rahimov smashes a hat-trick and we've dented the nose of the side who hold the league right now.

A trip to the 4th tier in the cup, lots of rotation, and for the 2nd season in a row, we go behind and then get double figures. Bekzod Raxmonov, a 16-year-old from the youth team with a hattrick, Rahimov with 4.

Ourselves and Navbahor are both unbeaten, or at least, were, before we met up. We make it 4 from 4.

I also have a new boss.

Obed Mintah notches his first for the club as we make it 5 from 5. He's been superb at the back.

We appear to be more ruthless this year.

At the moment we have a lead. It's up to us to ensure it's extended.

[KibworthBull]

May 2065

On the back of the good start to the season, we can turn the screw this month.

At Qu'qon Victor Akramov marks his debut with the final goal—the usual suspects with the others.

The key at the moment is rotation, we've only got a squad of 22 so it's fairly easy to keep most of them happy enough. A couple more wins see us keep our lead at the top.

The cup at Dang'ara, well, Bekzod Raxmonov follows up his 3 in the last round, with 5 in the next. 

It's Doston G'aniev's turn for the matchball as we travelled to Qizilqum.

All roads, however, lead to the last game of the month. Home to Paxtakor. 1st v 2nd. 

We take the lead but fall to our first defeat of the season. Rather annoyingly.

The table still looks good.

We will lose 4 first teamers for the next 6 weeks or so

[KibworthBull]

June 2065

A mid-season break of sorts. A few weeks to reflect on that defeat to Paxtakor.

It's the 20th June when we play, so today (when written) but 41 years in the future. Solid DM Islom Rejabboyev scoring to set us on our way.

A Junior Kone double finishes the month. Just 2 games. Fairly quiet on the pitch but lots happening off it.

Paxtakor drop points so we grow our lead.

Also, at the end of the month we say goodbye to two of our FGN boys. It halves our Estonian problem, and also takes £3.5k per week off the wage bill.

We welcome a Bosnian Left Back - Amar Omerovic from fellow Ubeki side Qizilqum. He'll improve the side, but we are a little light on numbers.

[KibworthBull]

July 2065

2 games this month.

One is a Uzbeki Cup tie against a lower graded side - expect plenty of goals.

We have a new goalkeeper (Judicaël Gnaleko) from the Ivory Coast who is better than Seda, our Kenyan. And an Omani Striker, Salah Al-Habsi, quite frankly the game is broken if he doesn't tick off that nation this month.

He scores in the cup, but it's Junior Kone that takes the credit with 3.

It's a busy time with the transfer window open, Assane Koffi is a Left Back who comes in, but takes us over our FGN quota so Jesse Seda (back up keeper, Kenyan) is unregistered, and we also bring in a couple of back up options - Anvar Hasanov is an experienced keeper from 3rd placed Bunyodkor Toshkent, and Artur Kuznetsov is a 19 year old bench warmer, if urgently required.

Also out the door are original back up keeper Boburjon Suleymanov, 3rd choice Left Back Said Marei, and extremely talented DMC Davron Karimov for £250k to Paxtakor - it's insane money for us, almost clears the debt and he really wanted to leave. It sticks in the claw, A LOT, but had to do it.

In the league, it's 3 in the first 9 minutes as we beat bottom side So'g'diyona.

We have a 21 man squad fighting on 3 fronts now

[KibworthBull]

August 2065

Football and lots of it. There are some massive games.

Home to 3rd place Bunyodkor first up, 4 players missing on international duty, but we find a way through, another key goal from DM Islom Rejabboyev.

The challenge gets tougher, home to the reigning champions, who now sit 3rd, and we have everyone back. Kelvin Tembo makes the difference, the only goal of the game. With 10 games left, they are now 11 points behind us, it becomes a 2 horse race for the title now.

Our first away trip of the month, Navbahor, sees us FINALLY tick off another nation - Oman - thanks to a double for Salah Al-Habsi.

Because we failed to win the league last season, we have a Play-Off to enter the group stages of the ACL this year. We host Syrian side Al-Jaish Sport Club (SYR) and we kept it calm, and composed and have moved into the Groups. A potential disaster averted.

Laziz Rahimov is back with a bang, after only 1 goal in his last 4, with a double to see off Neftchi.

Rotation the name of the game in the Quarter Finals of the Uzbek Cup - we crush 3rd tier opponents. 

A massive game to end the month, away to Mettalurg, but it follows at Paxtakor defeat. We come from behind and Shaxboz Ikromov wins it for us. A perfect month, right when we needed it.

The lead continues to grow.

 

Oman

 

[KibworthBull]

September 2065

International breaks mean that this month is a 2+2 month. 2 ACLs and 2 UPLs - some serious injuries there.

Al-Jazira provided our first test in the group stage for the ACL - we came 2nd last year but had a poor start. Laziz Rahimov helps us get a point. Could be a big one.

A shocker of a performance at home to Qu'qon, but thankfully blushes are saved as we sneak it 3-2.

Kelvin Tembo is back from a slight injury and grabs a double as power past Olmaliq.

It ensures ACL football next season - we only need 7 points from the last 5 games to secure the title.

Probably our best performance in the ACL - home to Al-Faisaly from Saudi Arabia, it was a tense battle, but we had the creative masterclass from Shaxboz Ikromov who has been smashing it for at least 2 years at this level, yet still is unable to get into the Uzbek national team - stupid!

All coming together nicely now.

[KibworthBull]

October 2065

We can't mathematically win the league in our 2 games this month, unless Paxtakor drop points, but we ensure that we can enjoy the international break with victory over Lokomotiv Tashkent.

In the ACL, Tishreen have lost both of their matches, so this should be a win. We scored early but then looked ropey AF - thankfully we remembered how to finish in stoppage time and the scoreline flatters somewhat.

We went for the throat against Qizilqum. 6 of the best.. trousers down. It put us on 66 points, Paxtakor can only get 67.

In the Uzbek Cup Semi Final, it was the champions of the Pro League against our reserves. Baxrom Meliboyev got a hattrick of assists from Left Back as we won by a canter.

We are close to domination this season.