Uzbekistan national team faces shocking security check to play in World Cup friendly at Randalls Island
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Uzbekistan national team faces shocking security check to play in World Cup friendly at Randalls Island
An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A bald man wearing a white and navy jacket with a UFA logo walking past a security guard and a bus, Image 2 shows Uzbekistan's Oston Urunov (11) attacks the ball while Canada's Nathan Saliba (25) and another Canadian player defend during a soccer match
Ryan Giancola·NY Post Sports
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2 min read
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Nothing was friendly with how security dealt with the Uzbekistan national team.
Uzbekistan rolled up on their team bus Monday for a friendly against the Netherlands at Randalls Island, but the team was not ready for what greeted them as they hopped off.
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Instead of warm welcomes from fans and stadium stewards, they were met by security holding a wand, ready for a full-body search.
One staffer seemed totally confused about the scene in front of him while he walked off the bus.
By the end of the ordeal, every player had been thoroughly searched and all their equipment had been searched as well.
Uzbekistan staffer seems confused why the searches were necessary
Interestingly, they were not the only team subjected to the crazy searches.
When Senegal arrived at its training camp, players were searched right on the tarmac.
Uzbekistan eventually entered the stadium, ready for their final match before their first-ever World Cup appearance.
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They battled a tough top-10 foe in the Netherlands, but the game left more questions than answers for the Dutch.
Even though the Netherlands secured a 2-1 victory, they did not score a single goal in open play, with both scores coming from the penalty spot.
Uzbekistan playing against Canada in their first World Cup tune-up match CODIE MCLACHLAN/The Canadian Press via AP
Uzbekistan also nearly escaped with a tie.
It seemed they secured the tie when Igor Sergeev scored a late equalizer in the 92nd minute, but a penalty in the box in the 98th sealed their fate.
But for the World Cup debutants, it was a strong showing.
Uzbekistan qualified for the World Cup in the third round of the AFC World Cup, finishing second in their group.
They will compete in Group K, which also includes Colombia, Portugal and Congo DR.
Their first game kicks off June 17 against Colombia.
