Cangzhou Lions' stalwart Ahmedov has officially bid farewell to the Uzbekistan national team stage! The 33-year-old central midfielder, who has reached the end of his career, will devote himself fully to the Chinese Super League campaign, and from now on, there will no longer be any active figure of the Uzbekistan captain Ahmadov in the Asian Cup qualifiers and other tournaments in 2023. In a statement announcing his retirement, Ahmadov was blunt: "If the national team does not make changes, I will still be standing here apologizing four years from now."
In the just-concluded Group D tournament of the World Preliminary Round 40 Asian Championships, Uzbekistan lost out on the Round of 12 with three wins, three losses and nine points after coming in seventh place in the fierce competition for second place in the group, despite being ranked second.
Returning to the Uzbekistan team, head coach Abramov announced his resignation and captain Ahmedov made the decision to retire. In the Top 40, Ahmedov contributed two goals for the national team; his national team career statistics are set at 21 goals in 108 games. In the last 14 years of his national team career, Ahmedov participated in four World Cup qualifiers and three Asian Cups.
Ahmedov played for Shanghai SIPG before joining Tianjin Teda on loan last season and then moving to Cangzhou Lions on a free transfer this year. After finishing his career with the national team, he will devote himself to the club game.
