Football News: India will face a crucial battle against Uzbekistan in the 2023 Asian Cup on Thursday (18/01) at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.
After a 2-0 loss to Australia in the opening match, India finished last in Group B, while Uzbekistan began the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Syria.
The match against the Socceroos showed a passive approach from the Blue Tigers, they waited until the 50th minute. Although this strategy worked for a while, India ultimately could not hold out much longer and had to accept defeat. This is the third consecutive time in the Asian Cup that the team has failed to score, having lost their last two matches in all competitions by a combined score of 5-0.
A defeat in their next match, coupled with a win or draw for the Socceroos against Syria, would officially eliminate the Blue Tigers from the competition for the second time in a row. However, manager Igor Stimac said their main goal was to reach the World Cup and this defeat may not worry them too much.
India have had an unsatisfactory record in the second group matches of the Asia Cup, losing their previous four matches and scoring only one goal. Uzbekistan, meanwhile, were left to rue their missed opportunities on day one after failing to win their Asian Cup opener for the first time since 2007.
Even though Uzbekistan failed to score in their opening match, they still managed to maintain an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions. The White Wolves have a good defense, achieving positive results in the last four matches where they conceded the first goal.
The White Wolves have not lost to the Blue Tigers in six previous meetings. This meeting promises to be exciting and will be decisive for both teams in the race for tickets to qualify for the round of 16.
Lineup prediction:
India: Sandhu; Poojary, Jhingan, Bheke, Mishra; Thapa, Ralté; Singh, Wangjam, Chhangte; Chhetri
Uzbekistan: Yusupov; Khusanov, Eshmurodov, Ashurmatov; Tourgunboev, Hamrobekov, Shukurov, Sayfiev; Fayzullaev, Masharipov; Sergeyev
Article Tag: India vs Uzbekistan, India, Uzbekistan
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