Igor Stimac had predicted that Uzbekistan would come exhausting from the beginning. What was not anticipated was that India would ship three gentle objectives within the first half on this Asian Cup group B recreation on Thursday.
India’s gamers react on the finish of the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup Group B soccer match(AFP)
In what was presumably the worst first half below the Croat head coach, Uzbekistan pulled forward via Abbosbek Fayzullaev within the fifth minute, made it 2-0 via Igor Sergeev within the 18th and simply if you thought it couldn’t get any worse, Sherzod Nasrullaev tapped dwelling in added time.
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A rasping left-footer from Mahesh Naorem late within the first half that goalie Utkir Yusupov palmed away for a corner-kick, Rahul KP starting the second by thudding into the upright and Rahul Bheke’s header that was tipped over had been the closest India got here to giving their followers, who once more comprised a big a part of the 38,491 that turned up at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, some cheer.
Naorem’s try to press Yusupov was proof of how India, buoyed by the combat within the 0-2 loss towards Australia, had needed to begin. It unspooled within the fifth minute and after the primary transfer Uzbekistan managed. Nasrullaev discovered house on the left and the convenience with which his supply was headed ahead by Otabek Shukurov for an unmarked Fayzullaev would embarrass the backline. By the time Sandesh Jhingan realised what was taking place, Uzbekistan had been forward.
It as 2-0 after Bheke misplaced the ball close to the midway line, one of many many unforced errors that ruined no matter hopes India had of taking the sport to their superior rivals who began with three Europe-based gamers. Down 0-2, his workforce suitably chastened, Stimac was seen sitting within the dug-out, hand on his mouth. India’s worst efficiency below him was a 0-6 defeat towards UAE in 2021 however even in that pleasant, they’d leaked two objectives earlier than half-time.
A wise save by Sandhu within the ninth minute and skipper Jaloliddin Masharipov’ free-kick hitting the framework prevented extra objectives in a recreation the place India struggled to include CSKA Moscow’s Fayzullaev on the left. Uzbekistan performed brief, crisp passes within the entrance third, their maturity find house leaving India chasing crooked shadows. Against Australia, it was backs-to-the-wall defending. When it got here to attempting to play towards a workforce not that good, gaps confirmed up.
That Uzbekistan didn’t exert themselves however nonetheless pressured India right into a string of bodies-on-the-line saves within the second half the place Jamshid Iskanderov rocked the horizontal confirmed how a lot work must do be completed if Stimac has to understand the intention of constructing the highest 10 in Asia in 4 years. Three gamers converging on Suresh Wangjam leaving him nowhere to go encapsulated the gulf between groups and confirmed why Uzbekistan are under-20 Asian champions, gained the Asian under-23 title in 2018 and had been runners-up in 2022.
Making the defeat worse was how disjointed India had been. The press wasn’t coordinated, twice Bheke conceded throw-ins whereas looking for Akash Mishra and Naorem, Lalengmawia Ralte and Mishra collided in the course of the park and when Nasrullaev sneaked in for the aim, Manvir Singh was ball watching as was Jhingan for the primary aim. Anirudh Thapa was supposed to offer the spark however Uzbekistan gave him, or anybody in a blue shirt fir that matter, no room in midfield. Add to {that a} free header Sunil Chhetri couldn’t placed on goal for the second time in as many defeats. His alternative Ishan Pandita had an opportunity late within the recreation however didn’t have the legs.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
