AFC Asian Cup 2023 football: India lose to Uzbekistan 0-3 to stay bottom of Group B table

The Indian men’s football team lost to Uzbekistan 0-3 in its second AFC Asian Cup 2024 Group B match played at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Thursday.

Abbosbek Fayzullayev (4’), Igor Sergeev (18’) and Sherzod Nasrullaev (45+4’) scored the goals for the Uzbekistan football team.

This was India’s second loss at the 2024 AFC Asian Cup after their 0-2 loss to Australia last week. The defeat keeps India rooted to the bottom of the Group B standings with no points in two matches.

India, world No. 102 in the FIFA men’s football rankings, made the worst start possible against Uzbekistan, a team placed 34 places over them.

The Indian defence was caught napping in the fourth minute as Nasrulloev pinged in a cross for Sergeev, who cushioned the ball for an unmarked Abbosbek Fayzullayev inside the Indian box. The 20-year-old forward made no mistakes and placed his header past an onrushing Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to give his team the lead.

Uzbekistan could’ve extended their lead inside the first 10 minutes, but Gurpreet denied Shukurov’s low shot while Masharipov, the Uzbek captain, rattled the crossbar with a free-kick.

India, however, did concede the second goal just after the 15-minute mark. After losing possession in midfield, the Indian defence was caught too high up the field. Akash Mishra tracked back to get a foot on Fayzullaev’s low cross, but unfortunately or fortunately for the Indian defender, the ball came back into play after hitting the post.

Igor Sergeev was the quickest to react and slotted the loose ball into the Indian net.

Though Uzbekistan were the more menacing side for the remainder of the half, the Indian players managed to get a foothold in the contest and eked out some half-chances.

India’s best phase of play came towards the end of the regulation 45 minutes. Naorem forced the Uzbek goalkeeper into a save from a low shot after the ball fell to him at the edge of the box following a free kick. Sunil Chhetri headed over from the resulting corner.

Uzbekistan, though, struck again in stoppage time. Sherzod Nasrullaev hit the post with his initial attempt but followed up to score his first international goal in his 16th outing. The first half ended 3-0 in Uzbekistan’s favour.

Ten minutes into the restart, India had three opportunities to pull a goal back within seconds. Akash Mishra’s cross from the left looked like it may sneak inside the far post before Yusupov palmed it away.

Substitute Rahul KP’s shot from the rebound rattled the crossbar but fell to Chhetri, whose shot was saved by Yusupov.

Having survived the early scare, Uzbekistan took control of the game and dictated the pace. India, however, managed to threaten the Uzbek goal on occasions. Rahul Bheke came close to scoring India’s opening goal of the competition but his header from a corner was tipped away by the Uzbek custodian.

Uzbekistan, despite threatening the Indian goal on multiple occasions in the second half, couldn’t extend their win margin courtesy some resolute Indian defending.

India will travel to Al Khor next to take on Syria for the final AFC Asian Cup Group B match on Tuesday.