Borubaev, who plays for the Kyrgyz youth team in the said festival, has said he is glad to take part in the festival as such a sporting event helps him gain international experience, meet players from other countries and improve his technical capabilities.

“I am very pleased with my participation in the festival in Tashkent. During the time we are here, we have played a series of matches against our counterparts from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. During these matches, we have received invaluable experience and have acquired many useful things,” said the youth.

Kurbanov, the Uzbek youth national team skipper, shares the Kyrgyz goalkeepers’ sentiments.

“Today I am proud to note that I am a member of the Festival of Football of the AFC. As a footballer I have to say with confidence that the festival improves our technical and tactical actions.

“Game by game, our team is working better and all the skills learned here are to our advantage,” he said.