The 32-year-old Irmatov, from Uzbekistan, has been given the honour by the FIFA’s Referees Committee to officiate the Group A match between host country South Africa and Mexico in Johannesburg’s Soccer City on June 11.

“I am very happy but not a bit surprised by Irmatov’s appointment because he is that good,” Ogawa told www.the-afc.com.

“He has justified his billing as the top referee in this region. Everyone in AFC is proud of his selection. I have never doubt his ability to officiate at the very top level.

“His performances all this while are second to none. I am very confident that he can do well in the opening match and make AFC and every Asian proud.”

With an international career dating back to 2003, the AFC Referee of the Year in 2008 and 2009 is the only Uzbek referee to have officiated in the finals of a FIFA tournament.

The highly rated football school instructor has appeared three times at the FIFA U-17 World Cup (2003, 2007 and 2009), once at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and also at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008, where he not only handled the quarter-final meeting between Al Ahly and Pachuca, but also the Liga de Quito-Manchester United Final.

His record in top Asian tournaments includes a debut at the AFC Champions League in 2003. In 2007, he officiated in the final of the tournament held in Japan, one of his biggest achievements to date.

He was also selected for the AFC Asian Cup in 2004 and took charge of eight Asian preliminary matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Ogawa said Tashkent-born Irmatov is a down-to-earth person with a rock-solid will to succeed.

“He has never changed since the first day I knew him from the 2004 AFC Asian Cup in China,” said Ogawa.

“Irmatov was just a 26-year-old then but he has shown so much potential and promise. Year by year, he is improving and become more and more famous in the world football scene.

“However, he still maintains the most important element of his personality – his modesty. He is such a humble and honest person. He treats everyone the same, no matter how high or how low you are.

“As someone who started his career from scratch, he understands what is needed to reach the top. This is something that money can’t buy and is invaluable.

“His philosophy is, you need to learn how to respect people if you want others to respect you too. He has what it takes to go far in this field - the right attitude, mentality and character.

“I must say that for someone as committed and dedicated like him, Irmatov deserves every plaudit for what he has done all this while." he said.

Japan’s Yuichi Nishimura is also making history for Asian football. He has been appointed to officiate in the second match of the FIFA World Cup between Uruguay and France in the same group in Cape Town.

It is only the second time in the tournament’s history that AFC referees have been chosen for the opening matches of the world’s biggest football showcase.

While delighted with both Irmatov and Nishimura, Ogawa also offered some words of advice.

“This is indeed a wonderful moment for Asian football. This has proved that the AFC’s effort to groom referees have come to fruition. On behalf of AFC, I am thankful and honoured for FIFA’s recognition of AFC referees,” said Ogawa.

“Now it is time to show what AFC referees can do. Only the best referees are chosen to officiate in the opening matches and certainly, I have every confidence in our refereeing standard.”

Ogawa said the two referees will be under a lot of pressure because they will be watched by billions of people around the world.

He said they needed to maintain their usual standards, stay calm and focus 100 per cent on their duties.

“My advice is that every match is the same,” he said. “Just do your normal job without pressure. After all, you are not refereeing for the first time. Make us proud.

“Because Irmatov is officiating in the first match, which involves the home team, it is very important for him to set a high standard.

“If he has a good start, it is not only good for the entire tournament but it will also have a positive effect on his colleagues.”

The thought of an Asian referee in charge of the final on July 11 is one that excites Ogawa. But at the same time, he has reservations – and with good reason. “That would be the icing on the cake but I would also love to see an Asian team in the final of the World Cup,” said Ogawa.

“Because the final’s referee must come from a non-associated Member Association, this will only happen if none of our representatives are in the final.

“It is a difficult choice for me to make. All I can say is I will take what comes, as long as it is good for Asian football.”