Adelaide thrash Zico's Bunyodkor 3-0 Oct 8, 2008
Striker Cristiano confidently stroked in an 88th minute penalty to ensure Adelaide can even progress with a two-goal loss in the return leg in Tashkent on October 22. Adelaide United swamped their more glamorous opponents after a nervous first half which failed to throw up many chances. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Malaysia suffer heavy loss in opener Oct 7, 2008
GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia opened their campaign in the AFC Under-16 championship Finals on a losing note, going down 0-4 to Japan in Tashkent last Sunday. Takashi Usami starred for the Japanese with a brace in the 34th and 70th minutes while Gaku Shibasaki (32nd) and Takumi Miyayoshi (65th) also got on target in the Group D match. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Sports news briefs (Yesterday) Oct 7, 2008
Sorana Cristea of Romania won her first WTA Tour title, rallying to beat Sabine Lisicki, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7), in the Tashkent Open final in Uzbekistan. Cirstea, seeded third and ranked 46th, hadn't dropped a set all week until losing the first to the fourth-seeded Lisicki. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Roos' unsung captain fantastic Oct 6, 2008
The 30-year-old does not believe he has witnessed anything quite as bizarre as the bird that settled on the Tashkent turf in the opening minutes of Australia's most recent World Cup qualifier. Neill unintentionally struck the magpie with a pass, prompting jeers from the Uzbek fans and speculation from commentator Simon Hill that the bird had met its maker. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Shock win 3rd WNBA crown Oct 6, 2008
-- Sorana Cristea of Romania won her first WTA Tour title, rallying to beat Sabine Lisicki of Germany 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7) in the Tashkent Open final in Uzbekistan. Colleges: The No. 6 Stanford women's volleyball team picked up a pivotal win on the road, beating ninth-ranked Washington 25-17, 25-15, 27-25. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Kyrgyzstan earthquake: Toll rises to 65 Oct 6, 2008
0-magnitude quake jolted the nearby Uzbek capital of Tashkent this August but it wrought little damage. . (Sify.com, India)
Central Asia quake kills 70, razes village Oct 6, 2008
In 1966, the Uzbek capital Tashkent was flattened by a 7 ... A 6 magnitude quake rocked Tashkent this August but there was no damage. (Yahoo News)
Cirstea wins Tashkent Open for first WTA title Oct 6, 2008
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (AP) -Sorana Cristea of Romania won her first WTA Tour title Sunday, rallying to beat Sabine Lisicki of Germany 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7) in the Tashkent Open final. Cirstea, seeded third and ranked 46th, hadn't dropped a set all week until losing the first to the fourth-seeded Lisicki. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Lisicki, 19, pulls upset of Peng at Tashkent Open Oct 5, 2008
Lisicki upsets Peng at Tashkent Open - - SI.com ... Lisicki upsets Peng at Tashkent Open ... TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (AP) -Sabine Lisicki upset top-seeded Peng Shuai 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 Saturday to reach the final of the Tashkent Open. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Weekend Time Schedule Oct 4, 2008
WTA Tour, Tashkent Open, Tashkent, Uzbekistan ... WTA Tour, Tashkent Open, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. (International Herald Tribune)
Mike Cockerill Oct 3, 2008
On a heavy pitch, under a misty sky, and a long, long, way from home, the Socceroos won tough in Tashkent ... SOCCEROOS coach Pim Verbeek wants his players to seize the moment and force home their psychological advantage against a shell-shocked Uzbekistan when the World Cup campaign resumes in Tashkent on Wednesday (Thursday morning, Sydney time) ... AS THE Socceroos finetune for next week's daunting assignment in Tashkent with a warm-up match against the Dutch, World Cup opponents Uzbekistan go... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Peng Shuai advances at Tashkent Open Oct 3, 2008
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (AP) -Top-seeded Peng Shuai of China beat Dutch qualifier Arantxa Rus 6-1, 7-5 on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Tashkent Open. The 40th-ranked Peng is looking for her first career title at WTA level. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Serena Williams sent packing Oct 3, 2008
TASHKENT OPEN: Fourth-seeded Sabina Lisicki of Germany beat Alexandra Panova of Russia 7-5, 6-1 Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals at Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Fifth-seeded Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia also reached the quarterfinals, beating Vesna Manasieva of Russia 6-1, 7-5, while Ioana Raluca Olaru of Romania rallied to beat Kyrgyz qualifier Ksenia Palkina 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Palkina upsets No. 2 Govortsova in Uzbekistan Oct 3, 2008
Palkina upsets second-seeded Govortsova at Tashkent Open - Tennis - SI.com ... Palkina upsets second-seeded Govortsova at Tashkent Open ... TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (AP) -- Ksenia Palkina, a teenager from Kyrgyzstan ranked 203rd, upset second-seeded Olga Govortsova of Belarus 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-5 Tuesday in the first round of the Tashkent Open. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Lisicki advances in straights at Tashkent Open Oct 3, 2008
Lisicki advances at Tashkent Open - Tennis - SI.com ... Lisicki advances at Tashkent Open ... Sabine Lisicki of Germany advanced to the second round of the Tashkent Open. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Rich pickings Sep 21, 2008
" Schwarzer said Australia's recent 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in Tashkent was a big boost for morale and demonstrated how much the team had adapted to football in the region after the 2007 Asian Cup debacle. "Without a doubt there is room for improvement, but everyone is learning," Schwarzer said. "In Asia, you have to [not complain] and adapt. For example, the field in Tashkent was nowhere near up to the standard that we're used to playing on, but I think we played the conditions very well. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Kashima, Adelaide play to 1-1 draw Sep 18, 2008
Bunyodkor, formerly Kuruvchi, has the edge with two away goals going into next week's return leg at Tashkent. Jose Luis Villanueva scored for Bunyodkor from close range in the 11th minute, but Saipa's Iman Razaghirad equalized on a header past a diving Pavel Bugalo in the 18th at Azadi Stadium. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Verbeek builds on Hiddink legacy as heroic Socceroos return to formin Tashkent Sep 14, 2008
Verbeek builds on Hiddink legacy as heroic Socceroos return to form in Tashkent ... Verbeek builds on Hiddink legacy as heroic Socceroos return to form in Tashkent ... Craig FosterSeptember 14, 2008 There is plenty to love about the past week for the Socceroos - two magnificent results, two halves of outstanding football, and some courageous performances in the second 45 minutes in Tashkent - but most pleasing is Australia's attitude to playing in Asia. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Running man Wilkshire saves the day Sep 14, 2008
LUCAS NEILL and Scott Chipperfield grabbed headlines against Uzbekistan last week but one other player can rightly claim to be Australia's man of the match in Tashkent ... Yet in Tashkent he gave a virtuoso rendition of classic "total football", appearing to cover every blade of grass the Pakhtakor Stadium could grow. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Lead-foot Lucas flips the bird Sep 14, 2008
A magpie planted itself on the Tashkent pitch and even unwittingly intercepted a pass from Neill ... Matthew Hall: Australia's Tashkent win was the beginning of a legend. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
What's worse than a whingeing Pom? An Aussie-baiting patriot Sep 13, 2008
The Socceroos' midweek victory over Uzbekistan in Tashkent was, by any standards, a worthy victory in difficult conditions ... Matthew Hall: Australia's Tashkent win was the beginning of a legend. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Not so pretty but effective Sep 12, 2008
On a heavy pitch, under a misty sky, and a long, long, way from home, the Socceroos won tough in Tashkent ... Put down Tashkent 2008 as another pointer in the right direction. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
* Australia off to winning start Sep 12, 2008
In the latest round of Asian 2010 World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday Australia got their campaign off to a winning start by handing Uzbekistan a 1-0 defeat in Tashkent. The victory came thanks to a rare international goal from Scott Chipperfield X playing only his second international in 19 months X as they bid to reach their second successive finals. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Socceroos Euro brigade plunge Uzbeks into World Cup abyss Sep 12, 2008
TASHKENT: Australia plunged Uzbekistan further into the World Cup abyss with a 1-0 win to successfully launch their final Asian qualifying campaign for South Africa 2010 here yesterday ... Reckless: Australias Jacod Burns (right) challenging Uzbekistans Ulugbek in their World Cup qualifier in Tashkent on Wednesday AP. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Asia zone qualifying wrap Sep 11, 2008
The Aussies handed Uzbekistan a 1-0 defeat in Tashkent thanks to a rare international goal from Scott Chipperfield - playing only his second international in 19 months - as they bid to reach their second successive finals. The Uzbeks hopes of reaching the finals for the first time look remote after two successive defeats as do those of the UAE - they lost to North Korea in their opening match at the weekend - after they let a 1-0 lead slip, ending up losing 2-1 to Asian giants Saudi Arabia. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Australia beats Uzbekistan 1-0 Sep 11, 2008
A strong defensive performance has seen Australia defeat Uzbekistan 1-0 in its World Cup Asian Group A qualifier in Tashkent. Scott Chipperfield headed a Luke Wilkshire cross into the net in the 26th minute to take the lead for the Aussies, and they defended stoutly for the remainder of the night to ensure a superb start to the second stage of their World Cup campaign. (The Age, Australia -- World)
Soccer | World Cup 2010 Qualifying: Asia: Australia beats Uzbekistan 1-0; Koreas reach another draw Sep 11, 2008
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (AP) - Australia opened its campaign in the fourth round of Asian World Cup qualifying on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory that ended Uzbekistan's formidable run at home. Scott Chipperfield scored in the 26th minute to silence the 35,000-strong crowd at Pakhtakor Stadium and secure three valuable points for the Aussies. (International Herald Tribune)
Neill hails Socceroos depth Sep 11, 2008
Australian football captain Lucas Neill says the squad is now strong enough to absorb the loss of key players, after an under-strength Socceroos defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Tashkent this morning. Switzerland-based defender Scott Chipperfield scored the only goal of the match in the 27th minute, while Mark Bresciano missed a great chance to put Australia further ahead just before half-time. (ABC Online)
Uzbeks have backs to the wall and Verbeek wants pumped Socceroos topounce Sep 10, 2008
SOCCEROOS coach Pim Verbeek wants his players to seize the moment and force home their psychological advantage against a shell-shocked Uzbekistan when the World Cup campaign resumes in Tashkent on Wednesday (Thursday morning, Sydney time) ... While the Socceroos are still without long-term injury victims Mark Viduka and Tim Cahill, only the loss of midfielder screener Vince Grella to a calf injury at the end of last week has affected Verbeek's plans for the trip to Tashkent. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Djite recovers from Beijing snub Sep 10, 2008
Michael Cockerill in TashkentSeptember 10, 2008 ... Djite, 21, was a contentious omission from Graham Arnold's under-23 squad for the Beijing Olympics, but six weeks later he's rebounded at both club and international level, and looms as a potential shock weapon for Pim Verbeek over the course of the World Cup qualifying campaign, starting with tomorrow's [Thursday morning, Sydney time] tricky assignment against Uzbekistan in Tashkent. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Head-to-head, Coyne Sep 10, 2008
Michael Cockerill in TashkentSeptember 10, 2008 ... Coyne could be a surprise World Cup starter in Tashkent on Wednesday (early Thursday, Sydney time), having figured prominently in both warm-up games against South Africa and the Netherlands. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Verbeeks side in buoyant mood after win over Holland Sep 10, 2008
Coach Pim Verbeek said their 2-1 friendly win over the Dutch in Eindhoven was the ideal preparation for their opening game against Uzbekistan in Tashkent in the final round of qualifiers ... While ecstatic with the victory, captain Lucas Neill warned his side not to be complacent or under-estimate Uzbekistan, with conditions in Tashkent likely to be considerably tougher than the ideal weather in Holland. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Neill wary of desperate Uzbeks as Socceroos welcome back Mr Chips Sep 9, 2008
Michael Cockerill in TashkentSeptember 9, 2008 ... Both sides arrived in Tashkent late on Sunday, but in contrasting moods for the World Cup qualifier on Thursday morning (Sydney time) at the Pakhtakor Stadium, which is expected to be filled to its 35,000 capacity ... " One new face in the back four could be veteran Scott Chipperfield, who sat out the Dutch game to protect a slight adductor strain but trained freely on Monday in Tashkent. Chipperfield is in the early stages of his international... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Qatar heroes take the game to Uzbekistan Sep 8, 2008
The result will put the pressure on the Uzbeks to get a result against the Socceroos, who warmed up for Wednesday's (Thursday, Sydney time) qualifier in Tashkent with a 2-1 win over the Dutch in a friendly. Majdi Siddiq fired the Qataris ahead in the 37th minute with a cracking free-kick that beat Uzbek goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Pim's Roos double Dutch Sep 8, 2008
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek was delighted with the performance of his team - ranked 35 places below the Dutch - on their home turf but acknowledged it would mean little if Australia falters in Tashkent (early Thursday morning, Sydney time). "We're very pleased with the result, but I'm more pleased with the organisation, the way they played, especially in the first half," Verbeek said after the Socceroos beat a Dutch team that played with 10-men for the entire second half. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
* Japan and Qatar clinch victories in humid Gulf Sep 8, 2008
Australia, who make up Group 1, travel to Tashkent on Wednesday to face Uzbekistan and they will be buoyed by an impressive 2-1 friendly win over the Netherlands in Eindhoven on Saturday. In Group 2, North Korea, bidding to reach the finals for the first time since 1966, edged the United Arab Emirates 2-1. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Japan and Qatar off to flying start Sep 8, 2008
Australia travel to Tashkent for their Group A match against Uzbekistan on Wednesday and they will be buoyed by an impressive 2-1 friendly win over Holland on Saturday. AFP. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Socceroos in Tashkent for Cup qualifier Sep 8, 2008
The Australians arrived in Tashkent on Monday, making a quiet arrival at midnight local time to give themselves three days to acclimatise for the match at the Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium. After playing in ideal conditions during their historic 2-1 win over the Netherlands in Eindhoven on Sunday morning, the team must adjust to the heat and humidity in Tashkent with a temperature of 30C forecast for match day. (The Age)
Socceroos stun Dutch Sep 7, 2008
Australia travel to Tashkent to face Uzbekistan in Asia group qualifying for the 2010 World Cup on Wednesday (early Thursday AEST). AUSTRALIA 2 (Harry Kewell 45+1m pen, Josh Kennedy 76m) bt NETHERLANDS 1 (Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 6m) at Phillips Stadium. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Central Asia: Russia and United States Intensify Energy Competition Sep 6, 2008
For now, Russia seems to have arrested Tashkent s geopolitical drift. During a September 1-2 visit to Tashkent, Putin secured a verbal commitment from Uzbek President Islam Karimov on a variety of projects, most notably the construction of yet another natural gas pipeline, this one with a projected capacity of 26-30 billion cubic meters, and linking Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to Russia ... But in Tashkent in early September, Putin shed some light on the price formula. (EurasiaNet.org)
It's blanks for Australia, live rounds for first-up World Cupopponents Sep 6, 2008
AS THE Socceroos finetune for next week's daunting assignment in Tashkent with a warm-up match against the Dutch, World Cup opponents Uzbekistan go into their opening match of the campaign against Qatar tonight bristling with confidence. Australia have the bye in the opening weekend of the fourth stage of the World Cup qualifiers - hence coach Pim Verbeek's decision to use his contacts and organise tonight's friendly against the Netherlands. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Grella set to miss World Cup qualifier Sep 6, 2008
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek said Grella was in serious doubt for the match against Uzbekistan in Tashkent on Wednesday (early Thursday AEST) ... Verbeek confirmed the defender would travel to Tashkent on the Australian team's chartered flight despite being ruled out of the Netherlands game after injuring his ankle at training in Mierlo, near Eindhoven ... Australian midfielder Mark Bresciano admitted earlier this week his team was not sure what sort of atmosphere to expect in Tashkent. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Posh and Uzbeks: minnows think big Sep 6, 2008
Two months ago, when Barcelona superstar Samuel Eto'o was rumoured to be joining an obscure Asian club few people outside Tashkent had ever heard of, the football world laughed ... The rise and rise of Bunyodkor, a club just three years old, mirrors that of football in Uzbekistan, and the Socceroos - who arrive in Tashkent tomorrow to prepare for Wednesday's (Thursday morning, Sydney time) World Cup qualifier - beware: the road to South Africa 2010 is strewn with obstacles, but this could be the... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Tashkent the toughest test for Prim Pim Sep 5, 2008
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is a different world to Sydney, and it's in the heat and dust of Central Asia next week that Verbeek and his players face arguably their toughest test ... au/news/football/tashkent-the-toughest-test-for-prim-pim/2008/09/04/1220121429440. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Plenty of variety ahead for Roos Sep 5, 2008
For the next decade the Uzbeks flattered to deceive, although their elimination from the 2006 World Cup in the play-off against Bahrain was shrouded in controversy after FIFA annulled their win in Tashkent ... Uzbekistan's form in their recent warm-up matches, notably a loss to Oman and a draw against North Korea, suggests they might be feeling the pressure of expectation, but in the hothouse atmosphere of Tashkent they will be difficult to beat ... September 10: v Uzbekistan, Tashkent. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Russia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Moscows Lonely Road from Bishkek to Dushanbe Sep 4, 2008
Since the 2007 Bishkek summit, other developments have occurred displaying the limits of Russian influence over the SCO. Although Tashkent had expelled American forces from Uzbekistan in 2005, it became clear in early 2008 that they had begun returning to Uzbekistan. Tashkent s decision to allow this does not appear to have been motivated by any problem in Russian-Uzbek relations, but by Islam Karimov s fear that the deteriorating situation in neighboring Afghanistan could affect his country. (EurasiaNet.org)
Russia, Uzbekistan Strike Energy Deal Sep 3, 2008
Speaking Tuesday in the Uzbek capital Tashkent, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said the pipeline will be built to "serve the growing export potential" of Uzbekistan and neighboring Turkmenistan. He added that the deal will be signed "in the near future.". (CBS News)
Keegan walks out on Newcastle Sep 3, 2008
He will miss Saturday's friendly against the Netherlands and remains in doubt for the Uzbekistan game in Tashkent ... 45am (Melbourne time) before playing Uzbekistan at the Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium in Tashkent the following Thursday at 1. (The Age, Australia -- Opinion)
McDonald doubt grows for World Cup clash Sep 2, 2008
He will miss Saturday's friendly against the Netherlands, and continues to be touch and go for the Uzbekistan game in Tashkent on Wednesday next week ... 45am AEST) before playing Uzbekistan at the Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium in Tashkent the following Wednesday (Thursday, 1. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Uzbekistan: Putin Visit Hopes to Arrest Russias Diplomatic Slide in Central Asia Aug 30, 2008
Russia s political supremo, Vladimir Putin, will try to prevent Russia s further diplomatic slippage when makes an early September visit to Tashkent, where he will try to dissuade Uzbek leaders from pursuing closer ties with the United States. Putin is scheduled to be in Tashkent on September 1-2 ... It can be hardly reassuring to the Kremlin that just four days before Putin s arrival, Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey, the acting commander of the US Central Command, was in Tashkent for meetings with top... (EurasiaNet.org)
Pim awake to threat of Uzbek dark horses Aug 28, 2008
It's likely some fringe players will be left behind when the squad moves on to Tashkent for the World Cup qualifier four days later, with Verbeek admitting that the time for experimentation was over. It will be the first time an Australian team has played in Central Asia, but it's not a first for Verbeek, who has been to Tashkent in his previous life as coach of South Korea, and also got to watch the progression of the Uzbeks in both the 2006 Asian Games, and the 2007 Asian Cup ... "Everyone is... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Russia Likely to Find Succor at Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit Aug 27, 2008
That is only the latest example of a long-standing relationship of mutual suspicion between Tashkent and Dushanbe. Over the long term, it remains to be seen whether the SCO can meet Moscow s expectations. (EurasiaNet.org)
No fear of the unknown for Verbeek Aug 27, 2008
Socceroos boss Pim Verbeek is unconcerned about the environment his team will face in Tashkent for Australia's opening final stage World Cup qualifying match against Uzbekistan on September 10. Australian skipper Lucas Neill recently described the opponents and the surroundings as "unknown" but Verbeek, who took the South Korean national team to Tashkent as coach, has no such apprehension ... "We have to find out how the circumstances are when we arrive in Tashkent. "The China and Middle East... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Strong Earthquake Jolts Uzbekistan's Capital Aug 25, 2008
ALMATY - A strong earthquake rattled the Uzbek capital Tashkent on Friday, rocking buildings and sending people running outdoors in fear, witnesses and the emergency ministry said ... The quake hit at 1:26 p.m. (0826 GMT) just outside Tashkent, a city of two million, and registered 6 ... The witness in Tashkent said he could see no signs of damage or fire, adding that people were returning to their homes after the initial panic abated. (Planet Ark, United States)
Kyrgyz president: SCO enjoys great development potential Aug 22, 2008
The security authorities of SCO member countries have established close ties, and the SCO's anti-terror institution based in Tashkent has achieved fruitful results, he said. Bakiyev said during the past seven years, the SCO has completed its organizational and legal formation and further improved the mechanism for coordination and cooperation. (Xinhuanet, China)
Unknown Uzbeks cause headaches Aug 20, 2008
Pim Verbeek's men take on the "unknown quantity" in Tashkent on September 10 as the road to South Africa 2010 steps up another notch. "It's important that we get together now to prepare for what will possibly be our toughest qualifier for the World Cup because we go into the unknown against Uzbekistan," Neill said from London, where the Socceroos were preparing for the overnight friendly against South Africa at Loftus Road. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Brisbane to host Socceroos Cup qualifier Aug 20, 2008
The Socceroos play The Netherlands on September 6, and face Uzbekistan in Tashkent in their opening World Cup qualifier on September 10. The team needs to finish in the top two in their group to earn direct World Cup qualification. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Cautious Pim omits Kewell Aug 19, 2008
The Sydney Morning Herald: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Australia's leading newspaper. Michael Cockerill and Michael LynchAugust 19, 2008. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Chipperfield slots into Pim's World Cup plans Aug 9, 2008
Verbeek yesterday named an 18-man squad for this month's friendly against South Africa - one of two warm-up matches before the qualifiers resume against Uzbekistan in Tashkent on September 10. The squad is notable for two things - the absence of A-League players and its predictability. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Terrifying ally against terror Jul 26, 2008
In 2005, RFE/RL's Uzbek affiliate Radio Ozodlik (Uzbek for "liberty") had to close its bureau in the capital city of Tashkent, after Mr. Karimov became enraged by its coverage of the Andijan massacre, when government security forces opened fire on hundreds of unarmed protesters. On the same day the hour-long prime-time propaganda was broadcast, a much ballyhooed Media Freedom Conference was staged in Tashkent. (Globe and Mail)
Finally, Chipperfield at Pim's Uzbek and call Jul 25, 2008
The FC Basel wide man has targeted the friendly against the Netherlands in Eindhoven on September 6, which will be used as the warm-up for the qualifier in Tashkent four days later, for his comeback. "Those are the games I'm looking at; it gives me enough time to get back to full fitness. I can't see why I won't be available," he said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Uzbekistan: How the Uzbek Government Maintains a Choke-Hold over the Internet Jul 24, 2008
"Uzbekistan, which consistently ranks near the bottom of free media and press surveys, also has a dedicated Center for Monitoring Mass Communications for violations of Uzbek laws and cultural norms. Separate monitoring and enforcement departments also exist within the Interior Ministry and SNB. "In Uzbekistan you have filtering both at the center of the network, [where] they try to control it with tier 1 ISPs -- those that are most directly connected to the internet -- as well as filtering at... (EurasiaNet.org)
Tajik Judge Alleges Official Uzbek Role In Courthouse Bombing Jul 20, 2008
Relations between Dushanbe and Tashkent have been fraught by border skirmishes, espionage scandals, and back-biting since independence in 1991 ... Dushanbe has demanded that Uzbek authorities hand over Khudaiberdiev and his fighters, but Tashkent has denied the colonel is on Uzbek territory ... As tensions have risen between Dushanbe and Tashkent, Uzbek officials have in turn accused Tajikistan of harboring members of the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU). (EurasiaNet.org)
Uzbekistan: Capital Amnesty Initiative Stalls in the Face of Public Skepticism Jul 18, 2008
"People are wary of this [capital amnesty law]," said a Tashkent entrepreneur, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to concern about possible government retribution for his comments ... Given the government s opaque decision-making process, conspiracy theories have circulated in Tashkent ... For example, the prices of apartments in Tashkent and elsewhere are estimated to have increased 400 percent since 2006. (EurasiaNet.org)
Uzbek town evacuated after series of blasts Jul 17, 2008
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan - Uzbek authorities have begun a large-scale evacuation of a town rocked last week by powerful explosions at a nearby military base, emergency workers said Wednesday. The evacuation comes only days after state media in the authoritarian Central Asian nation reported that life had returned to normal in Kagan, a central town of 50,000 people. (MSNBC -- International)
