Match Details
- Kickoff: Thursday, January 18, 8:00 PM IST
- Venue: Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
- Telecast in India: Sports18 Network
- Online live streaming: JioCinema
After a commendable defensive display in their loss to Australia, India aims to build on that performance against Uzbekistan, the formidable Central Asian team, in their upcoming Thursday clash. Despite Coach Igor Stimac’s initial attempts to downplay the significance of the tournament, he now recognizes the importance of this match and hints at a more attacking approach.
Stimac expressed the magnitude of the upcoming game, acknowledging the competitiveness of Uzbekistan. He anticipates pressure from their opponents, especially since Uzbekistan failed to secure a victory in their last match. Stimac emphasized the readiness of his team for the challenge, stating, “Our boys are ready for the challenge. We are happy for this opportunity that lies ahead of us, and our mentality will be to win the game and get three points.”
However, the team will continue to miss the services of chief playmaker Sahal Abdul Samad, and the participation of another key attacker, Lallianzuala Chhangte, remains doubtful due to reported issues. Stimac, aware of these challenges, mentioned, “We do have a couple of players with some issues after the Australia game, so we will see what team we will go with against Uzbekistan.”
Stimac is keen on avoiding a replication of the defensive-oriented approach used against Australia, emphasizing the need for more attack-minded players. He highlighted the potential of utilizing flanks for constructive play, as demonstrated in the first half against Australia. Stimac stressed the importance of maintaining attacking intent throughout the game to avoid constant defensive pressure.
With the opportunity for the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams to advance to the knockouts, this match holds special significance for Stimac and the Indian team, providing them a chance to achieve something remarkable in the tournament.
Match Preview: The Overall Picture
India’s head coach, Igor Stimac, praised his team as “honest, hard-working people, committed to whatever we ask of them” following their defeat against Australia in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 opener. However, Stimac acknowledges that advancing further in the tournament will require more than just these qualities.
The next step involves a stronger performance against Uzbekistan, currently ranked 68th in the world. A better showing against them could significantly enhance India’s (world rank 102) chances of qualifying for the knockout stage. This match, arguably, poses a tougher test than even Australia, as skipper Sunil Chhetri points out, “Uzbekistan are not Australia, but they’re a good side, nonetheless.”
The challenge with Uzbekistan lies in their front-foot, aggressive style of play. While India’s defense managed Australia’s aerial threats comfortably, Uzbekistan has the capability to vary their attacking strategies. Despite both teams having players from their own national leagues, recent encounters between Uzbek top division sides and Indian teams have not been promising for the latter (e.g., Navbahor 3-0 Mumbai City, or Nasaf 6-0 (ATK) Mohun Bagan).
Uzbekistan’s opening match against Syria, ending in a 0-0 draw, showcased their struggle against a resilient Syrian defense. Coach Srecko Katanec, in charge since 2021 with a strong record (18W, 5D, 6L), recognizes that India provides their best chance for securing three points in the group stage. With the minimum expectation being a knockout stage qualification, Uzbekistan is likely to approach the match with an aggressive mindset.
For Indian fans, another defensively challenging match can be expected, but there’s also a desire for a bit of counterattacking intent, which was lacking in the game against Australia. India possesses players who can remain composed on the ball, and it’s now up to the team to demonstrate that capability against their on-paper superior opponents.
Read More: AFC Asian Cup 2023: India vs Australia – Tactical Analysis & Positives for India to look at
Recent Form
India: LLWLL
India’s recent form, with two losses and a win in the last five matches, may not be encouraging, considering the tough opponents they’ve faced. The narrow defeat against Australia showcased the potential for a notable defensive performance, but at this level, any lapse can be costly. As they face Uzbekistan, a team of formidable stature, maintaining defensive solidity will be crucial.
Uzbekistan: DDWWD
In contrast, Uzbekistan has displayed a more solid form with two draws, a win, and a loss in their last five matches. The come-from-behind draw against Iran showcased resilience, while the draw against Syria might be seen as a missed opportunity for three points. With a desire to make amends, Uzbekistan enters the match against India with a competitive mindset. The contrasting emotions from their recent draws add an element of unpredictability to their performance.
Head-to-Head Overview
India and Uzbekistan have faced each other in a total of 6 matches, with the results leaning heavily in favor of Uzbekistan.
- India wins: 0
- Uzbekistan wins: 4
- Draws: 2
These encounters took place between 1997 and 2001, with the year 1998 witnessing three of these matches. While there was a notable 4-0 defeat for India in one of the clashes, most of the games were closely contested. A memorable match occurred in 1999 during the qualification for the 2000 AFC Asian Cup. India held a 2-1 lead (courtesy of goals from Jo Paul Ancheri and IM Vijayan) for 77 minutes, only to concede two goals in the final ten minutes, resulting in a victory for Uzbekistan.
Concerns
India
The looming tactical questions faced before the Australia match resurface, primarily concerning the absence of Sahal Abdul Samad as the creative force in the team. With Samad likely not fully fit to start, the defensive-minded Deepak Tangri replaced him against Australia, resulting in a flat three in midfield. While this provided defensive solidity, the team struggled to generate any attacking threat. The tradeoff was deemed reasonable against a strong opponent like Australia, but there is a pressing need for India to pose an offensive threat. The question remains whether Brandon Fernandes can step up to address the creativity issues.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan faced challenges in their opener against Syria, particularly in the absence of their talismanic striker Eldor Shomurodov. Despite controlling possession and displaying good ball circulation, they managed only two shots on target. Without Shomurodov, the team seemed somewhat directionless in the attacking third. While Uzbekistan is likely to dominate possession against India as well, coach Katanec will be keen on ensuring that his team converts this control into creating significant goal-scoring opportunities. The effectiveness of their attack, especially in the absence of key players, remains a concern for Uzbekistan.
Key Players for India
- Sunil Chhetri: As reiterated before, Sunil Chhetri remains the linchpin for India. His leadership on the field and goal-scoring prowess make him a crucial figure for the team.
- Sandesh Jhingan and Rahul Bheke: The defensive duo of Jhingan and Bheke, who showcased their blocking abilities against Australia, will again play pivotal roles. However, they might face a different challenge against Uzbekistan, dealing with more intricate ground play rather than the aerial threats posed by Australia.
Key Players for Uzbekistan
- Oston Urunov: With the absence of talismanic striker Shomurodov, Urunov will need to step up and take on the responsibility of goal-scoring for Uzbekistan, providing a crucial attacking presence.
- Abbosbek Fayzullayev: The attacking threat is expected to come from the wings, where Fayzullayev, CSKA Moscow’s player and last year’s Uzbek Player of the Year, can create havoc with his skills and creativity.
- Abdukodir Khusanov: Keep an eye on young centre-back Khusanov, especially in set-piece situations, where his aerial prowess could pose a threat to the Indian defense.
Predicted XIs
India XI (4-5-1)
- Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
- Defenders: Nikhil Poojary, Sandesh Jhingan, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose
- Midfielders: Manvir Singh, Apuia, Deepak Tangri, Suresh Singh, Mahesh Singh
- Forward: Sunil Chhetri
Notes: Deepak Tangri is expected to retain his place in midfield after a commendable debut. However, late news suggests that Lallianzuala Chhangte may not feature due to an injury.
🗣️ @deepaktangri22: "We have to forget the past and move forward. We will give results for sure 💯, just support us" 🙏#AsianCup2023 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/FyGZlwY83M
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 16, 2024
Uzbekistan XI (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Utkir Yusupov
- Defenders: Khoziakbar Alidzhanov, Rustamjon Ashurmatov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Farrukh Sayfiev
- Midfielders: Odiljion Khamrobekov, Otabek Shukurov
- Attacking Midfielders: Abbosbek Fayzullayev, Khozhimat Erkinov, Jaloliddin Masharipov
- Forward: Oston Urunov
Notes: After a lackluster performance against Syria, Uzbekistan is expected to make some changes to their lineup.
Where to Watch AFC Asian Cup 2023 Live in India: Streaming & Broadcast Details
The AFC Asian Cup 2023 games will be broadcast live on Sports18 Network’s TV channels in India. You can also watch the live stream of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 on the JioCinema app and website.
