AFC Asian Cup 2023India's knockout hopes hang by a thread after 3-0 loss to Uzbekistan

India’s hopes of making it to the knockout phases of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 took a significant hit as they were beaten 3-0 by Uzbekistan on January 18, Thursday.

Objectives from Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Igor Sergeev and Sherzod Nasrullaev made sure that Uzbekistan concluded the video game in the very first half as India’s defence had a day to forget at the Ahmed bin Ali arena.

The backline looked extremely unstable, and a bit undercooked on a day when a favorable outcome was much-needed for the side after their 2-0 loss to Australia.

IND vs UZB Highlights

Protective lapses haunt India in the very first half

The Indian group began highly with a bit of high press however then Uzbekistan would strike. A basic ball into package wasn’t cleared by the defence and it enabled Fayzullaev to get a complimentary header, which he diverted previous Gurpreet to offer his side the lead.

This would begin a duration of supremacy from the Uzbekistan side and required a great conserve from Gurpreet to reject Shukurov from making it 2-0 in the 10th minute. A couple of seconds later on, Uzbekistan went close once again as a free-kick from Masharipov would strike the bar as India had a hard time to clear the ball from their own half.

In the 18th minute, Uzbekistan doubled their lead through Sergeev after a mistake from Rahul Bheke on the half-way line. The Indian protector wasn’t able to acquire the ball and Fayzullaev made a great run before putting in an unsafe cross.

Suresh’s effort to clear the threat nearly resulted in an own objective as the ball ricocheted off the post. It fell to Sergeev and he made no error.

The 2nd objective did stimulate on a couple of attacks and some pressure from the Indian group, who took pleasure in an excellent spell of belongings. The physicality of the Uzbekistan gamers appeared to trigger difficulties. Fayzullaev was having a great very first half on the left flank and Gurpreet was when again required in the 35th minute to keep ball game at 2-0.

India would develop a number of possibilities prior to half-time through Mahesh, whose hazardous long-range shot needed to be conserved and put behind for a corner. Chhetri would then stop working to put his header on target.

Another protective error would make it 3-0 for Uzbekistan with Nasrullaev scoring after his preliminary shot was obstructed in blockage time of the very first half and left India with a mountain to climb up.

India produce better efficiency in 2nd half

India made a modification before the start of the 2nd half with Rahul KP beginning for Manvir Singh. He practically made an instantaneous effect as India got back-to-back opportunities to minimize the deficit. Rahul’s shot came off the post to Chhetri, however the Indian skipper’s shot was conserved by the Uzbekistan keeper.

Poojary practically enabled Uzbekistan to make it 4 as he provided the ball away to Fayzullaev, who when again made operate on the left however his pass could not discover the onrushing Uzbekistan striker.

After a couple of more close calls in their own defence, India had an attack through the right with Rahul’s darting run needed to be stopped and put behind for a corner in the 71st minute. Bheke’s header required a conserve out of Yusupov.

India caused Ishan Pandita and Brandon Fernandes trying to find an objective and chose to compromise Chhetri and Thapa. The full-back position continued to be the most significant issue for India as Poojary devoted prematurely and this resulted in Erkinov going through and the resultant shot from Sayfiev was conserved by Gurpreet.

Iskanderov practically made it 4-0 as his shot rattled off the bar in interruption time of the 2nd half. Uzbekistan majorly kept control of things to see off the Indian group, who were much better in the 2nd half of the video game. India will now require to guarantee they protect a big win versus Syria on January 23 to have any hopes of making it to the knockout phases.