Uzbek Irmatov is among five AFC referee along with Matthew Breeze (Australia), Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia), Yuichi Nishimura (Japan) and Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia) who are candidates to officiate at the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa this year.

The 33-year-old, in Kuala Lumpur for the AFC Elite Referees Course, said despite the rivalry, they are all still friends.

“Whoever goes will get the blessing from me, not even a little bit of jealousy and no ill feeling. They are all my colleagues and good friends," said the soft-spoken Irmatov.

“Being crowned best referee in Asia for two years in a row doesn’t guarantee me anything. We are all equal. If you want to succeed, you need to work hard, and well, luck plays its bits too.”

The Tashkent-born Irmatov, a FIFA referee since 2003, has wielded the whistle in a number of high profile tournaments such as 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, 2008 FIFA Club World Cup and 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

He also holds the distinction of being the first Uzbek to break into the elite of Asian refereeing and now wants to be the first from his country to go to a World Cup finals.

The Uzbek Football Association is offering solid support in his bid to fulfil his dream by providing technical and physical instructors to work with Irmatov in 90-minute sessions, five times a week.

“Success comes with sacrifices. I am thankful and, at the same time, sorry to my family and friends. All the people who are supporting me deserve my utmost respect and I can’t thank them enough.

“A place in the World Cup will be a perfect gift to all my supporters.”