AsianCup2023 | Group B : India 0 - 3 Uzbekistan

India come into today's clash against Uzbekistan as the only team yet to get off the mark in Group B. Uzbekistan have one point in their account already, and the win here would leave them looking very well placed to go through. India coach Igor Shtimatz spoke positively about his team following the 2-0 defeat to Australia last time out, saying that lessons have been learned from what he called a fantastic game. And after some words of caution regarding the strength of today's opponents, Uzbekistan, he said that his side's mindset will be geared towards winning this clash. On the other side, Uzbekistan's head coach, Sretko Katanets, took Iraq past the group stage in the last edition of the AFC Asian Cup. He's made three changes from his new team's 0-0 draw last time out. 20-year-old Abosbek Faizulayev is one of those new faces intended to boost the attack. It's Uzbekistan in white who moves the ball forward first. It's going to be played in towards Sturov. His header loops up and over into the box towards Faizulayev. And Faizulayev nods his side into an early lead. Only four minutes are on the clock, and already Uzbekistan are in front. The young forward drifted towards the high ball in the box, and the defenders couldn't adjust. Uzbekistan still very much with the upper hand in these early stages. Over the halfway line they go. Masharipov carries the ball forward at pace. Into the D it goes for Igor Segeyev. Nice low strike, and that's a good save from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to keep that out as well. India under so much pressure in the opening 10 minutes. It's Masharipov with the free kick all the way across the box. And down off the right angle it bounces. Gurpreet Singh in trouble for a moment at least there. Come on, India have given away the ball cheaply near the halfway line. And Uzbekistan punish them from down here on the left. It's squared across the face by Faizulayev. Mishra takes the touch onto his own post. And there's Igor Segeyev, who just could not miss on the rebound. Once the ball was played across, it was always going to be tough for the defender. He was perilously close to an own goal, but full marks to Segeyev for following it up. Masharipov, that's a lovely ball into Faizulayev. The shot's well struck to the angle, but the keeper can carry it away. It really was the weight of that pass that opened up the chance for Uzbekistan. India have won this free kick on the right-hand side. It will be played in and punched out clear of the area towards Mahesh Singh. Oh, really well struck, and it's swept away behind for a corner. The India fans are right behind their team now. I sense that they've raised their level late in the first half. India blocked the cross from Uzbekistan, but they'll get the ball back. They've got options still on the right-hand side. Saifiyev on the overlap. Space in the middle for Nazarulayev. Off the post, and it falls kindly for him on the rebound. And just as India were beginning to threaten, Uzbekistan make it three. The defenders were flat-footed and the tap-in was an easy one. How's that for coaching? 3-0 at the break, and all three of the changes to the starting eleven have scored for Uzbekistan. Left-hand side, it's a floating India. They're still going here. Subul Chetri, Chetri with a second effort, and it's blocked. Behind for another corner. Again, the Indian fans right behind the team. And that was so, so close. And a half-time substitute. It gets set up by Is for the header. And Yusupov clings onto the clean sheet for now with a fine save. The first step for India is just to get that goal from somewhere if they can. Uzbekistan might look for a fourth here. That one cannons back off the bar. Iskandarov trying to make it four. That would have been sub-goal late on here. Uzbekistan have earned themselves a showdown for the group win with Australia next time out. India will have to beat Syria to have an outside chance of their progression. They gave it their all today, but Uzbekistan was just too strong over the 90 minutes. Comfortable 3-0 win, the final result from Albayan.