Uzbekistan defeated India 3-0 to hand them their second straight defeat at the AFC Asian Cup 2023. The Blue Tigers had conceded all three goals by half time, after the opener was conceded within four minutes of the game.
The defence was fairly easy to unlock for Uzbekistan, as they were 2-0 up 18 minutes into the game. They finished the game with 18 shots on goal, seven of which were on target. After a steady run of opportunities at the opposition goal, India conceded a third goal right before half time, after Sherzod Nasrullayev was completely unmarked in front of goal. The full-back popped up in the box to comfortably put the ball in the back of the net and end India’s momentum.
India handed crushing 3-0 defeat by Uzbekistan at AFC Asian Cup 2023
The Indian support at the stadium was incredible, with fans making their presence felt throughout the game. Igor Stimac’s men came very close to scoring on multiple occasions, with one scramble early on in the second half unluckily hitting the post, and Sunil Chhetri missing a few key opportunities too.
Uzbekistan could have had a fourth late in the game, with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu beaten by a long range shot. But, Jamshid Iskanderov’s powerful shot hit the crossbar and bounced off.
A lack of clinical finishing and a lack of organisation in defence cost India the game, the fine margins on which a game at this level is decided by. They weren’t able to compare in terms of physicality either, losing in terms of speed and strength too.
India’s final chance at making it out of the group stages will be in their next game against Syria – a must win fixture on 23rd January.
