Jizzakh Football Club 'So'g'diona' Prepares for the Second Stage of the Uzbekistan Super League Season

The football club 'So'g'diona' from Jizzakh is not performing in the current season of the Uzbekistan Super League as expected. During the break related to the FIFA World Cup taking place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the team began working towards successfully competing in the second half of the season.

Season Preparation

The team has started comprehensive preparation aimed not only at improving physical and tactical readiness but also at strengthening the squad and eliminating existing shortcomings. The summer transfer campaign, which officially began today, has gained particular importance, opening up new opportunities for 'So'g'diona'. The club management has begun practical work on making changes to the squad to make the team more competitive.

Current Status and Objectives

Although 16 teams participate in the Super League, 'So'g'diona' currently occupies only 15th place in the standings. This position does not correspond at all to the potential and prestige of the club, which previously held a respectable place in national football and defended the honor of Uzbekistan on the international stage. Therefore, changing the situation in the second half of the championship is one of the most important tasks for both the head coach, Ulugbek Baqoev, who returned to the team, and for the club's management and players.

Training Camps

As part of the preparation, 'So'g'diona' initially conducted training sessions at its base. Then, starting on June 21 of this year, the team held a summer training camp in the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe. During the camp, the team participated in several friendly matches to test its capabilities. The first was a confident victory over 'FC Dushanbe' with a score of 4:1. In this match, Abdulaziz Abdurashidov scored twice, while Jamshid Boltaboyev and Sardor Erkinov each scored one goal.

In the next friendly match, the team drew with CSKA from Dushanbe with a score of 1:1, with the only goal for 'So'g'diona' scored by Oybek Nurmatov. In the last camp match, 'So'g'diona' suffered a 2:0 defeat against 'Regar-Tadaz' from Mirzo Tursunzoda. The goals in this match were scored by Behruz Askarov and Tajik legionnaire Zoir Zhoraboyev from 'So'g'diona'.

Transfer Policy and Players

This camp contributed to strengthening the players' physical condition, improving tactical actions, and increasing squad cohesion before the second half of the season. Now, the team will continue the preparation phase in Uzbekistan. Important decisions are also being made in the transfer market. The cooperation with Lupcho Doriyev, one of 'So'g'diona's key players and a recognized top foreign player in the Super League, has been extended. According to the new contract, the experienced forward will represent the Jizzakh club until December 31, 2030.

The North Macedonian forward, who joined 'So'g'diona' in the summer of 2023, quickly became a real leader of the team. He participated in 74 Super League matches, scoring 38 goals and providing 21 assists. These figures demonstrate his status as one of the most effective players not only for the team but for the entire national championship.

Squad Changes

During the squad renewal process, there were also farewells with some players. Employment contracts with Alexander Bolyevich, Nikola Mirkovic, and Faisal Mulich were terminated by mutual agreement between the club and the legionnaires.

Despite the results of the first half of the season, which did not satisfy 'So'g'diona' fans, the thorough preparation during the break, the squad changes, and the transfer strategy provide grounds to believe that the team will step onto the field in the second half of the championship in a completely different state. Now it is necessary to prove these aspirations with practical results through matches and restore the deserved place in Jizzakh football.