Team selection, delayed changes: Talking points from India's defeat against Uzbekistan in AFC Asian Cup 2023

India becomes first side to concede five goals at the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

India football team’s campaign at the AFC Asian Cup 2023 is almost over until and unless they pull off the unthinkable and other factors also contribute to their cause. The Blue Tigers were handed a heartbreaking 0-3 defeat by Uzbekistan in their second group stage match.

Abbosbek Fayzullaev opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Igor Sergeev scored in the 18th minute. And then Sherzod Nasrullaev put the final nail in India’s coffin with a third goal late in the first half.

It was an awful display from the Blue Tigers. On that note, let us take a look at the talking points from India’s defeat against Uzbekistan.

5. Uzbekistan tear India to shreds

Uzbekistan were all over the place and did not let India have a sniff. They played simple football. Their off the ball moments were just too good and too much for India to handle. Uzbekistan’s quick passing coupled with their ability to react quickly caused a lot of problems for the Blue Tigers.

Uzbekistan had an upper hand against India in almost every aspect of the game. Be it speed, physicality or technical awareness, they had it all. They not just capitalised on India’s weaknesses, but also dominated the game with their strengths and scored three goals.

4. India becomes first side to concede five goals at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup

India failed to build upon their defensive heroics against Uzbekistan and have now become the first side to concede five goals at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. The players lacked communication and intent which led to more opportunities for the White Wolves. India were too slow to react and couldn’t cope up with Uzbekistan’s pace.

A lack of synergy between the players, misplaced passes, misjudgements and losing the ball at key positions also added to India’s long list of miseries. There was constant confusion among the players in India’s every move. In short, it was a scrappy display at the back from the Blue Tigers.

3. Wrong team combination

Putting Manvir Singh on the right flank was a big blunder by Stimac. Manvir is not a designated right winger neither playing there is one of his strengths. He looked clueless and even found himself out of position on most occasions. 

Putting Rahul KP from the start would have surely produced a better result for India. Although he did come on at half-time, Uzbekistan had already done the damage to India by then and there was no way for the Blue Tigers.

2. Delayed substitutions yet again

The Blue Tigers suffered yet again because of late substitutions. A wrong team combination was followed by delayed changes and resulted in a forgetful outing for the Blue Tigers. The reinforcements came in very late and there was no way they could’ve made much of an impact. 

India’s set-piece specialist Brandon Fernandes should’ve come on early in the game because India had 21 set-pieces which they failed to capitalise upon. The players who were not performing should’ve been taken off early, but that was just not the case.

1. Inspiring offensive play from India but no end product

India looked clueless upfront. They created a number of chances, but failed to make the most out of those. It seemed as if the players panicked and gave away the ball cheaply every time they found themselves in goal scoring positions. 

Efforts were certainly from India, but they failed to produce an end product yet again and this has been their biggest problem. India had four shots on target and 21 set-pieces and they even hit the woodwork twice. They did all of things right, but missed the final touch every time.

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