India vs Uzbekistan Preview: In the face of the potential for an early departure from the Asian Cup, India is set to engage in their second clash in this tournament against Uzbekistan at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium this Thursday. The Blue Tigers currently find themselves at the bottom of Group B, having succumbed 2-0 in their initial encounter with Australia. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan settled for a 0-0 draw against Syria. If you are interested in sports betting, then you can earn some money through betting on your favorite teams on Orbit Exchange.
India vs Uzbekistan Match Analysis:
India
Employing a somewhat passive strategy of holding back and waiting proved effective for the initial 50 minutes on Saturday. However, India ultimately couldn’t prolong their resistance against the Socceroos. This marks the third consecutive instance at the Asian Cup where the team failed to hit the back of the net. Their recent track record includes losses in the last two contests across all competitions, with a cumulative score of 5-0. A loss on Thursday, coupled with a victory or draw by the Socceroos against Syria, would officially eliminate India from the competition for the second successive time.
Manager Igor Stimac seems relatively untroubled by the prospect of an early exit, emphasizing that their primary goal is World Cup qualification. The team currently trails narrowly behind Kuwait in goal difference in the second round of the 2026 qualification group. In their preceding four group matches, India has only managed to score in one, a victorious occasion against Thailand in the 2019 opener, finishing 4-1. Notably, they’ve never emerged victorious in their second group fixture at this tournament, suffering losses in all four previous attempts, scoring only once in those encounters (a 5-2 defeat against Bahrain in 2011).
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Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan, on the other hand, missed an opportunity on matchday one, experiencing their first non-victory in the competition since 2007 (a 2-1 defeat against Iran).
The White Wolves, historically prolific in Asian Cup group stage outings, failed to score for only the second time in the 21st century. Despite the setback, they managed to extend their unbeaten streak to eight matches in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in their last two fixtures.
Uzbekistan has displayed considerable resilience in the past year, securing results in the previous four matches where they conceded the opening goal.
Notably, the White Wolves have never lost to India in six prior meetings, with their lone Asian Cup encounter resulting in a 3-2 victory in 1999 after erasing a 2-1 deficit with two goals in the final 13 minutes.
India vs Uzbekistan Squad Update:
Deepak Tangri marked his senior debut for India on matchday one, serving as a holding midfielder alongside Lalengmawia Ralte. Vikram Partap Singh earned his first cap, entering the field for Lallianzuala Chhangte in the latter stages.
Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, boasting 67 career appearances for the Blue Tigers, has the opportunity to tie for seventh in all-time caps alongside Subrata Pal and Mahesh Gawli if he plays on Thursday.
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Sunil Chhetri, India’s record goalscorer and cap holder, seeks his first goal of the 2023 competition. He is also seven appearances away from reaching 100 for the national team.
For Uzbekistan, Diyor Kholmatov and Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev, who made their debuts on Christmas Day, have been on the bench for the last two encounters. Zafarmurod Abdurakhmatov is the only player in the squad yet to earn his first international cap.
Captain Jaloliddin Masharipov is three caps away from 60, Odiljon Hamrobekov can reach the half-century mark for appearances on Thursday, and Abdukodir Khusanov, a Lens defender, is two caps shy of reaching double digits.
Igor Sergeyev needs two more goals to equal Igor Shkvyrin for seventh all-time, having netted 18 times with the national team. Utkir Yusupov, having secured a clean sheet in his debut at the Asian Cup last weekend, did not have to make a single save.
Potential Starting Lineups:
India: Sandhu; Poojary, Jhingan, Bheke, Mishra; Thapa, Ralte; Singh, Wangjam, Chhangte; Chhetri
Uzbekistan: Yusupov; Khusanov, Eshmurodov, Ashurmatov; Turgunboev, Hamrobekov, Shukurov, Sayfiev; Fayzullaev, Masharipov; Sergeyev
India vs Uzbekistan Match Prediction:
Our prediction for the India vs Uzbekistan match is a 0-2 victory for Uzbekistan. Judging from India’s conservative approach in their opening match, it seems they are not inclined to press forward aggressively. We anticipate a more dynamic performance from Uzbekistan, possessing ample quality to eventually breach the India backline.
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