AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023: Confident India face uphill task against Uzbekistan

The Blue Cubs were held to a draw by Vietnam in the opening fixture.

The 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup is up and running with the first round of group-stage fixtures being completed. In the first game, India came back from behind to register a 1-1 draw against Vietnam on Saturday evening. 

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The Blue Colts displayed their resilience and never-say-die attitude to bring the scoreline back on level terms and salvage a point. Next up for India is a huge test that could decide their fate for the remainder of the tournament. 

India will go up against Uzbekistan on Tuesday evening at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani. On that note, we take a look at how things stand.

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The Stakes

India

The stakes are pretty high for Bibiano Fernandes and his boys because any slip-ups at this stage of the tournament can prove to be expensive. After playing out a 1-1 draw against Vietnam in the weekend, India will be determined to go out all guns blazing against Uzbekistan.

The Blue Colts looked a bit under-confident in the first game but are expected to grow in confidence and composure come Tuesday evening. Moreover, they find themselves last on the table despite being level on points with all teams due to negative disciplinary points.

Uzbekistan 

The importance of the game is no less for Uzbekistan either. They come into the game after playing a 1-1 draw against the defending champions Japan. It was a well-fought performance from them as they made a late comeback despite conceding an early goal.

They can take confidence from their performance against the defending champions and use it to fuel their desire to win against India. Moreover, they’ll also want to improve their already good-looking head-to-head record against the Blue Colts.

Injury & Team News

Both teams are expected to have a fully fit squad for their second group stage clash.

Head-to-head

India and Uzbekistan have faced off against each other twice with both teams winning one game each. India won 2-0 while Uzbekistan won 3-0.

Predicted Line-ups

India (4-2-3-1)

Sahil Poonia (GK); Mukul Panwar, Suraj Kumar, Ricky Meitei, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom; Danny Meitei, Gurnaj Singh Grewal; Lalpekhua, Vanlalpeka Guite, Korou Singh Thingujam (C); Thanglalsoun Gangte

Uzbekistan (4-4-1-1)

Mukhamadyusuf Sobirov(GK); Sherzod Abdulboriev, Ozod Uktamov, Bekhruz Jumatov, Akhmadaliev; Oybek Urmonjonov, Ollabergan Karimov, AzizbekTulkunbekov, Bekhruz Shukurullaev; Laziz Mirzaev; Shodiyor Shodiboyev

Players to watch

Malemngamba Singh Thokchom (India)

The left-back was India’s main man in the last game against Vietnam. He was solid at the back and very precise with his passing and deliveries inside the box. Not just that, he also brought India back on level terms with a striker straight from the heavens.

He caught the keeper off guard and tried a long ranger from outside the box with his favourable and gifted left foot and found the back of the net in the most unexpected way. Thokchom will be keen to build up on his performance and deliver an even better shift against Uzbekistan.

Laziz Mirzaev (Uzbekistan)

Mirzaev usually operates as an attacking midfielder but also plays across different attacking positions if required. He is Uzbekistan’s main man and is responsible for creating chances and opening up opposition’s backline with perfection. 

Still 16, he has already become a regular for Uzbekistan's second tier side Lokomotiv Tashkent. He is one of most influential players in the Uzbekistan starting lineup and has always led from the front. The skipper will have a huge role to play against India as well.

Did You Know?

• India has played Uzbekistan twice this year in Goa where they won and lost once.
• All teams in Group D are tied on one point each
• No team from Group D has won or lost a game yet

Telecast

The match between India and Uzbekistan in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup will be played on Tuesday, 20 June at the Thammasat Stadium in Bangkok. The kick-off time for the game is 5:30 PM IST. The game will be live streamed on JioTV (India) and on True ID TV (Thailand).