Timur Kapadze: A Legendary Career in Uzbekistan Football
Timur Kapadze stands as one of the most decorated and influential figures in the history of Uzbek football. A Georgian-born talent who became a cornerstone of the Uzbekistan national team, Kapadze's journey is marked by consistent success across multiple clubs and a pioneering spirit in international competition.
Key Facts
- National Team Record: Represented Uzbekistan from 2002 to 2015, appearing in four AFC Asian Cups.
- Club Dominance: Won numerous league titles with Neftchi Ferghana, Pakhtakor, Bunyodkor, and Lokomotiv Tashkent.
- International Pioneer: The only Georgian-born player to compete in international tournaments for Uzbekistan.
- Coaching Transition: Served as the interim head coach of the Uzbekistan national team in 2018.
Professional Club Career
Early Success at Neftchi Ferghana
Kapadze began his professional journey in 1998 with Neftchi Ferghana. During his tenure until 2001, he contributed to a highly successful era for the club, securing silver medals in the country championship for 1998, 1999, and 2000, and ultimately winning the Uzbekistan Higher League gold medal in 2001.
Dominance with Pakhtakor and Bunyodkor
In 2002, Kapadze moved to Pakhtakor Tashkent, where he entered a period of unprecedented domestic dominance. He won six consecutive Uzbekistan championships and six consecutive Uzbekistan Cups. On the continental stage, he helped Pakhtakor reach the AFC Champions League semi-finals in 2003 and 2004, and secured the Commonwealth Champions Cup in 2007. He left Pakhtakor with 152 appearances and 28 goals.
In early 2008, he joined Bunyodkor, a rising power in Uzbek football that attracted top talent including Server Djeparov, Ignatiy Nesterov, Anzur Ismailov, and Brazilian star Rivaldo. With Bunyodkor, Kapadze won three consecutive league titles, two Uzbekistan Cups, and a silver medal in the cup. He also reached the AFC Champions League semi-finals in 2008, finishing his time there with 70 games and 11 goals.
International Ventures and Final Years
Kapadze expanded his horizons in 2011, moving to South Korea to play for Incheon United (28 matches, 4 goals), followed by a stint with Al Sharjah in the UAE in 2012. He then moved to Kazakhstan to join Aktobe, where he won the Kazakhstan championship in 2013 and the Kazakhstan Super Cup in 2014.
Returning to his homeland in 2015, Kapadze joined Lokomotiv Tashkent as captain. He led the team to two consecutive league titles (2016, 2017), two Uzbekistan Cups (2016, 2017), and the Uzbekistan Super Cup in 2015. He officially retired on December 4, 2017, in a farewell match—the Uzbekistan Cup final—where Lokomotiv Tashkent defeated Bunyodkor 1–0 in the presence of AFC President Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa.
International Career and National Team Impact
Kapadze's international career spanned from 2002 to 2015. He made his debut on May 14, 2002, against Slovakia and scored his first goal against Tajikistan on November 17, 2003. As a vice-captain and occasional captain, he became a leader of the squad, eventually becoming the team's most capped player with 119 matches, surpassing Server Jeparov.
He represented Uzbekistan in four AFC Asian Cup (the premier football competition for Asian national teams) tournaments:
- 2004: Reached the quarter-finals (4 matches played).
- 2007: Reached the quarter-finals (4 matches played, 2 goals scored).
- 2011: Reached the semi-finals (6 matches played).
- 2015: Reached the quarter-finals (2 matches played).
Career Summary Table
| Period | Club/Team | Major Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| 1998–2001 | Neftchi Ferghana | Uzbekistan Higher League Gold (2001) |
| 2002–2007 | Pakhtakor | 6x League Titles, 6x Uzbekistan Cups |
| 2008–2010 | Bunyodkor | 3x League Titles, 2x Uzbekistan Cups |
| 2012–2014 | Aktobe | Kazakhstan Champion (2013), Super Cup (2014) |
| 2015–2017 | Lokomotiv Tashkent | 2x League Titles, 2x Uzbekistan Cups |
| 2002–2015 | Uzbekistan National Team | 119 Caps, 4 AFC Asian Cups |
Transition to Coaching
Following his retirement, Kapadze transitioned into management. On February 15, 2018, he was appointed as the interim head coach of the Uzbekistan national team, a role he held until August 2018 when Héctor Cúper was appointed as the permanent head coach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which clubs did Timur Kapadze play for in Uzbekistan?
He played for Neftchi Ferghana, Pakhtakor Tashkent, Bunyodkor, and Lokomotiv Tashkent.
How many AFC Asian Cups did Kapadze participate in?
He participated in four AFC Asian Cup tournaments (2004, 2007, 2011, and 2015).
What is Kapadze's record with the Uzbekistan national team?
He earned 119 caps, making him the most capped player for the team at the time he held the record, and served as a vice-captain.
Did Timur Kapadze play outside of Uzbekistan?
Yes, he played for Incheon United in South Korea, Al Sharjah in the UAE, and Aktobe in Kazakhstan.
When did Timur Kapadze retire from professional football?
He retired at the end of the 2017 season, with his final match taking place on December 4, 2017.
Did Kapadze have any coaching experience?
Yes, he served as the interim head coach of the Uzbekistan national team from February 2018 to August 2018.