AFC U-23 Championship: Uzbekistan smash three past inefficient India

India were handed a 0-3 defeat by a dominant Uzbekistan in their first qualifier of the AFC U-23 Championship on Monday  at the Pakhtakor Central Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The defending champions started on the frontfoot and exuded confidence in their passing and style of play. They looked settled in possession but struggled to carve out clear-cut chances.

India, at the other end, threatened on the break. Anirudh Thapa sent a shot on target before Rahul KP's menacing run from the right flank into the box left him with just the goalkeeper to beat. Umidjon Ergashev made himsef big and pulled off a good save. 

A determined Dheeraj Singh in goal kept denied Uzbekistan a lead in the 27th minute. Tukhtasinov Nurillo cut in from the right flank and charged at the defence before releasing Kenjabaev Islom into the box. With the backline sucked to one side of the box, the forward had only the Indian goalkeeper to beat but an excellent close-range save with his legs kept the scoreline unchanged.

The young White Wolves went ahead at the stroke of half-time after Gaurav Bora fouled Alijanov Ilkhamjon inside the box. From the resulting penalty, skipper Islomjon Kobilov beat Dheeraj Singh and scored.

India pushed forward in search of an equaliser after the break but it was their opponents who threatened first when Urunov Oston curled a shot wide of goal from outside the box.

The Blues struggled to hold onto the ball in the final third and paid the price as Bobir Abdixolikov took advantage of the space left behind at the back to pick up a brace. The forward was left unmarked inside the box as a cross from the left found its target and the goalkeeper was beaten.

With India desperately chasing a goal, Abdixolikov made full use of the space afforded inside the box to find the net again and down the Blues.

India will take on Tajikistan in the final Group F match on March 24.