India will face Uzbekistan in a crucial Group B encounter at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium on Thursday. The Blue Tigers are currently bottom of the group after losing their opening match against Australia 2-0, while Uzbekistan were held to a 0-0 draw by Syria.
Match Preview:
In their previous three Asian Cup matches, India has failed to score a goal. They have lost their last two games in all competitions by a combined score of 5-0.
A defeat against Uzbekistan, combined with a win or draw for Australia against Syria would mean that this is the second successive time India would exit the competition early.
However, manager Igor Stimac has made it clear that his main objective is for the team to reach the World Cup, and they are narrowly behind Kuwait on goal difference in their second-round 2026 qualification group.
Uzbekistan missed a big opportunity on matchday one, failing to win their opening match in this competition for the first time since 2007.
That said, the White Wolves have not conceded a goal in their last two fixtures. They have also shown great resilience over the past year, earning results in their previous four matches in which they had conceded the opening goal.
Team News:
Deepak Tangri made his first senior appearance for India on matchday one, starting as a holding midfielder alongside Lalengmawia Ralte.
Meanwhile, Vikram Partap Singh came on as a substitute for Lallianzuala Chhangte deep into the second half. Indian record goalscorer and cap holder Sunil Chhetri is seeking his first goal of the tournament.
For Uzbekistan, Diyor Kholmatov and Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev made their debuts on Christmas Day and have been on the bench for their last two encounters.
Zafarmurod Abdurakhmatov is the only player in the squad still awaiting his first international cap. Captian Jaloliddin Masharipov is three caps away from 60, while Abdukodir Khusanov is two caps shy of double-digits.
Possible Lineups:
India: (4-2-3-1)
Sandhu;
Poojary, Jhingan, Bheke, Mishra;
Thapa, Ralte;
Singh, Wangjam, Chhangte;
Chhetri
Uzbekistan: (3-4-2-1)
Yusupov;
Khusanov, Eshmurodov, Ashurmatov;
Turgunboev, Hamrobekov, Shukurov, Sayfiev;
Fayzullaev, Masharipov;
Sergeyev
Prediction: India 0-2 Uzbekistan
From what we saw in their opening match, India does not appear too eager to go forward and seek anything more than a draw in this competition.
We expect Uzbekistan to have more than enough quality to eventually break down the India backline.