Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, speaking to directors, actors and film experts at the Cinema Palace in Tashkent on 16 May, commented on the defeat of the Uzbekistan from Japan (0:1) in the final of the AFC U23 Asian Championship.

The only goal of the match was scored by Japan in the 90+1 minute. At 90+7 minutes, the referee awarded a penalty in favor of Uzbekistan, but the Japanese goalkeeper managed to parry the shot from Umarali Rakhmonaliev.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that he could not sleep for three days after the Uzbekistan national team player failed to score a goal from the penalty spot.

“I would like to be in his place. I ask myself: “Why did this happen? One ball." I communicated with many of them, sent a telegram,” he said.

“We all want to become champions right away. How many times has Uzbekistan competed at the Olympic Games in team sports? This is also one of our great achievements. Football is a complex business. I am proud that five or six of our football players play in famous teams around the world,” the President said.