Uzbekistan down India in U-19 AFC Championship qualifying opener

The Uzbeks scored twice in the second half to pick up the three points.

India began its AFC U19 Championship 2020 qualification campaign with a 2-0 loss against Uzbekistan on November 6, 2019 at the Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

The match was goalless after the break, with both sides threatening to score, but the Uzbeks scored twice in the second half to pick up the three points.

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The first half began with India earning the first chance of the game in just the second minute. Gurkirat Singh latched on to a loose ball in the middle and charged towards goal, but his effort was off target.

Goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill, wearing the captain's armband, was called into action three minutes later as he dealt with a cross from the left flank with confidence.

An important source of attacking threat for India was fullback Muhammed Rafi with his booming long throws into the penalty area. It almost paid dividends at the first attempt in the 16th minute with Uzbekistan needing a desperate clearance to get rid of the danger.

Six minutes later, there was another opportunity – this time through Vikram Pratap Singh. Rafi's throw-in wreaked havoc once again and after a weak effort from the Uzbek defence, the Indian forward looked to power home a first-time effort which went just wide of the goal.

Another chance almost came in the way of India U-19 team through forward Manvir Singh at the half-hour mark. With the Uzbekistan building from the back, the Indian attackers pressed with vigour to force the defence into a mistake as a clearance almost went into the net after rebounding off Manvir.

Uzbekistan also created a number of chances but were denied by Gill, who stood tall in goal and repelled whatever was thrown at him.

The Central Asian side's best chance of the first half came in the 19th minute from a corner but Gill was alert to dive low and save the first-time shot. He was called upon yet again with two minutes to go for the break as he turned away a shot from distance from midfielder Ramozonov Diyor.

After the break, Uzbekistan won a free-kick in a dangerous area in the 52nd minute, with the shot hitting the Indian wall and going out of play. However, just a minute later, Khoshimov Ulugbek opened the scoring for the team in white – converting a low cross from the right.

Gill produced a fine save in the 63rd minute as he pushed away a powerful effort from long range from Rakhimkulov Diyorbek. However, he could not do much as the Uzbeks scored again – this time through Olimjonov Muzaffar, who scored with a first-time volley from close range as the ball came in from a corner kick.

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The India U-19 team threw more men forward in search for a goal and came closest to scoring in the 80th minute, with Sumit Rathi getting his head to a long throw but his effort flew over the crossbar.

Vikram won India a free-kick a minute before the end of regulation time against Uzbekistan. Ninthoi went for goal and his effort was a strong one but was saved by Uzbek custodian Nematov Abduvakhid.

In their next match, India will take on hosts Saudi Arabia at the same venue on Friday (November 8, 2019) at 8.35 PM IST.

INDIA XI Vs UZBEKISTAN: Prabhsukhan Singh Gill (GK, C), Muhammed Rafi, Jitendra Singh, Narender, Vikram Partap Singh (Bikash Yumnam 90+1’), Ninthoinganba Meetei, Givson Singh, Manvir Singh (Ricky Shabong 62’), Gurkirat Singh (Aman Chetri 87’), Sumit Rathi, Thoiba Singh.