Ratings: India go down to Uzbekistan in AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023

A late goal sealed the fate for Uzbekistan against India.

There was a lot of anticipation about India making it out of the group of death, but now the chances look very slim. The Blue Colts were handed a heart-breaking defeat by Uzbekistan in their second group stage game at the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023.

With this defeat India’s chances of making it past the group stages have narrowed down because Japan and Uzbekistan have already registered four points each. India tried very hard and defended their hearts out but couldn’t deny Uzbekistan from scoring a goal. 

On that note, let us take a look at how the players performed.

India

Sahil (GK) - 7.5

Came off his line to make important collections despite a lot of pressure from the Uzbekistan forwards. He even made a crucial save late in the first half when he denied Saidov from scoring. Sahil also saved a direct free-kick. He made a lot of good saves but couldn’t protect his clean-sheet.

Ricky Meetei - 7.0

Ricky was solid at the back. He executed his tackles and blocks to perfection and came up to defend all sorts of danger that Uzbekistan threw at him. Moreover, he also made overlapping runs when India had the ball.

Surajkumar Singh - 7.0

He was India’s wall at the back. He came up with a clearance or block almost every time Uzbekistan tried to attack. Suraj made an important clearance while defending a 2v1 situation and denied Uzbekistan an opening.

Pramveer - 7.5

Made a few important blocks inside the box to deny Uzbekistan’s attackers an opening. He mistimed a tackle just outside the box and gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position. The defender also cleared away a few dangerous looking chances from Uzbekistan.

Malemngamba Singh - 8.0

The left-back was very solid at the back. He came up with important last ditch tackles and clearances to avert the danger. He was undoubtedly India’s best defender on the night.

Gurnaj Singh Grewal - 7.0

He was very stable in the middle of the park. Gurnaj played a couple of through balls and maintained a decent passing accuracy. He was given the captain’s armband after Korou Singh was subbed off and he made sure he kept the team intact.

Korou Singh - 7.5

The skipper made a late run into the box and even executed his shot to perfection but his shot was blocked away by the defender. Korou also helped his backline with his clearances and blocks every time they needed him.

Lalpekhlua - 7.0

He was key with his dribbling and even delivered good looking balls into the box from the left flank. The midfielder worked his socks off and was taken off early in the second half.

Vanlalpeka Guite - 7.0

He sent in good and tempting balls from the right flank but no one couldn’t finish things off. He combined well with his teammates in the middle. Moreover, he also tested the keeper once from outside the box.

Danny Meetei - 7.0

He lost the ball and gave away a foul. Danny also tested the keeper with a sloppy long ranger from outside the box with his left foot. He sent in a few deliveries inside the box but there were no takers to finish it off.

Thanglalsoun Gangte - 6.5

Gangte had India’s best chance of the game when Uzbekistan’s keeper gave away the ball to him inside the box but he couldn’t make the most out of it.

Substitutes

Rohen Singh - 7.0

He came on to replace Lalpekhlua in the 57th minute. Rohen came in and started to help his team at the back. Moreover, Rohen had a very good chance when he made sure he tested the keeper from distance.

Akash Tirkey - 6.5

He came on midway through the second half to replace Danny. Akash came in and started to help his defenders with important clearances. He won the ball in Uzbekistan’s half and even initiated an attack but couldn’t produce an end product.

Shashwant Panwar - 6.5

The forward was also brought in midway through the second half. He kept on making runs behind the Uzbek defence every time India had the ball, but couldn’t impact the game much with his presence.

Gogocha - 6.5

He came on as a replacement for skipper Korou late in the second half. He took the set-pieces for India in the latter half of the game.

Omang Dodum - N/A

He came on to replace Guite late in the second half. He couldn’t make an impact.

Uzbekistan

Muhammad Yusuf Sobirov - 7.5

He almost made a blunder when he gave away the ball directly to Gangte, but he was lucky enough that the latter couldn’t capitalize on his mistake. Other than that, the keeper was very good and denied India a lot of chances.

Mukhammad-Bobur - 7.5

The defender kept check on India’s attackers at all times and did not allow them many chances to get past him. He was very solid and maintained a good shape while defending against the Blue Colts.

Azizbek Tulkunbekov - 7.5

He won the ball in the middle of the park with important interceptions. Moreover, he combined well with the forwards to create chances for his side. All in all it was a very creative and fruitful performance by him.

Ozodbek Uktamov - 8.0

The defender was very good at the back and did not allow the Indian attackers to even have a sniff at goal. He neutralized the attack every time India tried to penetrate from the right flank. Uktamov was too good with his interceptions and clearances.

Lazizbek Mirzaev - 9.0

Took shots from outside the box and tried to test the Indian keeper every time he got an opportunity. He played a crucial part in linking the team together and also made sure that they function together as a unit. He was undoubtedly his side’s best player and led by an example.

Amirbek Saidov - 7.5

He couldn’t sort his feet out inside the box and therefore couldn’t capitalize on his chance, which resulted in another wasted opportunity for Uzbekistan. But even after that, he continued to take active part in his side’s attacking moves.

Bekhruz Djumatov - 7.5

He put in tactical fouls for his team and even conceded a yellow card in the process. All in all he put up a very robust performance for his side at the back. His clearances and blocks came in very handy for Uzbekistan.

Shodiyor Shodiboev - 8.5 

Was a livewire on the right flank. He caused a lot of trouble with his pace and trickery. He had a never say die attitude and did not give up under any circumstances. He even glanced a shot that went wide but he kept on piling up the pressure on India.

Ollabergan Karimov - 7.0

Took a few shots inside the box and wasn’t shy to try his luck from range either. He had a decent first half but was taken off at half-time by his head coach. He missed a goal by inches as his shot went wide.

Sherzodbek Abdulboriev - 8.0

The defender made sure India didn't get a chance to go ahead and was a mainstay for Uzbekistan at the back. He even made crucial interceptions and clearances in the process. If it wasn’t him, maybe India would have scored a goal.

Oybek Urmonjonov - 6.0

The midfielder had a decent outing in midfield for the White Wolves but couldn’t make much of an impact and was therefore taken off at the break.

Substitutes

Dilshod Abdullaev - 7.5

He came on at half time to replace Karimov. The defender tried scoring off a few corners but couldn’t find a way past the Indian goalkeeper.

Mukhammedali Reimov - 8.5

He came on as a replacement for Urmonjonov at half time. He hit the ground running as he played a key role in the middle for Uzbekistan. Moreover, he also tried his luck on goal from outside the box. He eventually scored the opener for his side late in the second half.

Kuvonchbek Abraev - N/A

He came on late in the second half and couldn’t make much of an impact.

Nikolaos Akopov - N/A

He also came in very late in the game and couldn’t make an impact.