Proud Cannavaro sees positives as Uzbekistan lose 3-1 to Colombia

 (Reuters) - Uzbekistan head coach Fabio Cannavaro said he was proud of his team’s performance despite their 3-1 defeat to Colombia in their World Cup Group K ​opener on Wednesday, praising his players’ effort in a challenging atmosphere at the ‌Azteca Stadium.

“I told them that I am very proud of the match they played. I told them I really liked what I saw,” Cannavaro said. “It wasn’t easy, we were playing in Mexico, but it ​felt like playing in Colombia with all the Colombian fans here.”

Colombia winger Luis ​Diaz inspired his side to victory as the South Americans marked their ⁠return to the World Cup, having missed the 2022 edition. After Daniel Munoz opened the ​scoring late in the first half, Uzbekistan responded well and levelled through Abbosbek Fayzullaev on ​the hour mark.

However, Colombia quickly regained control through Diaz before substitute Jaminton Campaz sealed the result in stoppage time, leaving Cannavaro to reflect on a score line he felt did not fully reflect his team’s ​effort.

Cannavaro said the experience of playing in such a historic venue would stay with his ​players.

“Playing here is something wonderful. It’s something you will remember your whole life. It’s the first time ‌my ⁠players have played in this stadium, and they will remember it forever,” he said.

“When a small team like ours works the way it did today, it’s clear that losing 3-1 is too much,” said Cannavaro.

The Italian coach emphasised the need for growth as Uzbekistan continue their ​debut campaign, particularly when ​facing top-level opposition ⁠such as Colombia and upcoming opponents Portugal.

“We have to grow. I always tell them to stay in the match,” Cannavaro said. “It’s not easy ​to play against a team like Colombia or Portugal... Today the ​team understood ⁠when we had to suffer, when we had to control the ball, when we had to switch from one side to the other. I think the second half was very good.”

“But at ⁠this ​level, when you make mistakes, you pay heavily.”

Uzbekistan next ​face Portugal in Houston, while Colombia, who top Group K after Portugal and Democratic Republic of Congo drew 1-1, take ​on DR Congo in Guadalajara.