A toothless India slumped to their second successive defeat in the ongoing AFC Asian Cup. Nasrullaev scored the third goal for White Wolves as Uzbekistan took 3-0 lead before halftime. It took just four minutes for Uzbekistan to take the lead. Fayzullaev opened the scoring with Sargeev doubling it soon. India went on to dominate the possession in the second half but couldn’t match the class of Uzbekistan.
Match Timeline:
FT – And there goes the FT whistle. India have been handed a humiliating defeat by Uzbeks.
90+4‘ – A good shot from Uzbek which hits the crossbar. That could have been more humiliation for India.
90′ – And there will be 5 minutes of added time.
86′ – And the final change for India. OUT – Naorem, IN – Udanta
84‘ – Another change for India, OUT – Suresh, IN – Tangri
79′ – A good attempt from Uzbek. Sayfiev takes a shot at goal but Gurpreet stands firm to fist the ball away and deny the opposition from scoring their 4th goal of the match.
78‘ – We venture into the final quarter of the game and now it is time for some stats. India with 56% possession. Uzbek with most shots (14)
72′ – Corner and Rahul Bheke wins the ariel duel. Uzbek goalie Yusupov with a finger-touch save to maintain the cleansheet for his side.
71′– A wonderful move from India. A good linkup between Akash and Rahul KP who wins a corner. The second change for India. OUT – Sunil, Thapa, IN – Pandita, Brandon
67′ – Uzbeks continue to attack in barrages. The struggling Blue Tigers continue to hang on a wire.
60′ – An hour into the match and ohh wow! India are dominating possession. IND 57-43 -UBZ
54′- It is to and fro movement at the moment. Uzbek continues to attack while India remain somewhat resilient in defence in this half so far. The Blue Tigers are banking on the fresh legs of Rahul KP to trigger counter attacks.
49′ – India wastes golden chance. Rahul KP shot hits the bar while Chhetri fails to send the ball into the net.
46′ – And we are back after the first half! India have made a solitary change. OUT – Rahul KP, IN – Manvir
Halftime: It is half time and India are 3 goals down. The chances of India qualifying for the next round look next to zero with Australia already having qualified.
48′ GOOOOAL’ And it is a third for Uzbekistan, Nasrullaev beats Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to extend the cushion for white wolves.
45′ CHANCE! – India had a chance of redemption! Mahesh Naorem Singh gets the ball at the edge off the box and attempts for a long ranger, but is averted away. From a resulting corner, Thapa crosses it for Sunil Chhetri who’s header goes over the bar. 5 minutes of added time.
43′– Sergeev is bringing in all kinds of problems for India, Uzbekistan have dominated the numbers since the kick-off and have not allowed India to grow into the game,
40′- India concedes possession once more at the halfway line. Sergeev seizes the ball and, noticing Gurpreet off his line, takes a shot. The attempt goes wide of the goal, leaving Gurpreet watching
37′ – India have been trying to thread some strings of passes to form a attack, but the Uzbekistan defence have been on their toes.
34′- Uzbekistan continue piling the pressure on the Indian defence as Rahul Bheke falters, however, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu comes out in time to save it.
28′– It is a freekick for India, Sunil Chhetri takes it, although Akash Mishra connects his head to it but no goal-mouth action comes out of it.
25′– Uzbekistan have had three out of their eight shots on target while India are yet to have any.
21′- Nikhil Poojary beats the Uzbek defence to find Sunil Chhetri with a cross, but the attempt is cleared away soon
18′- GOOALLL Sergeev doubles the lead for Uzbekistan ans India’s Asian Dream looks to be slipping away
16′- Thapa and Manvir play a pas amongst themselves but nothing comes out of it.
12′- Another free-kick from Uzbekistan strikes the post! India finds themselves under intense pressure, grappling to advance beyond their own half at the moment.
9′- Uzbekistan look much more comprehensive after the first goal as the hurl yet another shot, however, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu effortlessly parries it away.
4′ – GOAALL’ Fayzullaev scores to put Uzbekistan ahead. Nasrullaev crossed to the youngster near the penalty area who slots it in perfectly.
0′- Here we go! The Blue Tigers are in action against Uzbekistan
India Playing XI: Gurpreet; Poojary, Bheke, Sandesh, Akash; Suresh, Thapa, Apuia; Manvir, Naorem Mahesh; Sunil Chhetri
Uzbekistan Playing XI: Yusupov; Sayfiev, Khusanov, Eshmuradov, Nasrullaev; Urunov, Khamrobekov, Shukurov, Masharipov; Fayzullaev; Sergeev
Uzbekistan, though positioned 43 places below Australia in the rankings, holds a higher rank than the Blue Tigers. Renowned in central Asia, they topped their Asian Cup qualification group and reached the final of the CAFA Nations Cup in June last year.
Editors pick
