Uzbekistan makes its World Cup debut, a first for Central Asia
The country is the first Central Asian nation to qualify for the World Cup, and Uzbek fans have reveled in showcasing their country and culture. The country's president calls the team a symbol of the "new Uzbekistan."(Image credit: Ashley Landis)
Underdog stories feature people and communities overcoming long odds. First-generation graduates, small towns reversing economic decline, athletes returning from career-ending injuries, inventors solving problems that larger institutions had abandoned. The common thread is persistence that pays off.
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