AFC Asian Cup
Featuring in five of the six matches in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2, Alykulov scored the vital equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Malaysia to enable Kyrgyz Republic to pip the Southeast Asian side to second place behind Oman, thus booking their ticket to the Finals.
Factfile
Age: 25
Caps: 50
Goals: 6
Club: Dinamo Minsk (BLR)
Age: 25
Caps: 50
Goals: 6
Club: Dinamo Minsk (BLR)
Alykulov went on to play an integral role in Round 3 as they went in search of a place at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the 25-year-old playing in all ten matches against Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and DPR Korea.
The dynamic forward played his heart out, registering one goal and one assist but it wasn’t enough to help Kyrgyz Republic achieve their World Cup dream.
TriviaKyrgyz Republic have not missed a single edition since making their AFC Asian Cup Finals debut in 2019.
Alykulov had already established himself at the age of 21 under Stefan Tarkovic at Qatar 2023, starting in all three matches in Group F in a tough campaign against Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Oman.
Despite the head coach changes in recent times, he has continued to earn the trust of first Robert Prosinecki then Umat Abdukaimov, including the last two friendly matches where Kyrgyz Republic defeated Maldives and Lebanon.
League champion with Kairat in Kazakhstan in 2020, Alykulov now plays his club football in Belarus with Dinamo Minsk where he made 26 appearances last season.
With also experience at Torpedo Moscow in Russia and another Belarusian side in Neman Grodno, there will be pressure on the star playmaker to deliver at Saudi Arabia 2027 as the Central Asian side look to make it out of a tough Group C that includes Iran, Syria and China PR.
Photos: AFC, AFP
