Two late strikes enabled favourites Uzbekistan to kick off their AFC Under-23 Championship qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over India in the inaugural match at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
After a decent display by the Indians in the opening half, Uzbekistan found their rhythm in the latter stages of the game as midfielder Igor Sergeev and captain Vladimir Kozak netted one apiece to earn the Uzbek all three points in the Group E opener.
Uzbekistan, ranked 72nd, a full 101 places above India, struggled to impose their authority on the pitch in the first half due to the hot weather but they came back stronger in the second half to give the opposition a tough time. Winger Sergeev put up a brave performance, creating a number of goal-scoring chances, including scoring one and assisting another.
Just when the game was rolling towards a goalless draw, Sergeev put Uzbekistan ahead two minutes before the final whistle. The winger headed home via the slippery hands of the Indian goalkeeper following a corner from midfielder Jamshid Iskanderov.
Skipper Kozak doubled the lead as well as sealed the victory in injury time, placing the ball into an empty net. Sergeev was the architect behind the goal as he provided a pass that gave the opponents no chance to defend.
India, earlier, began the game on a positive note. They had their first shot on target in the 16th minute when forward Jayesh Dilip Rane’s strike from the edge of the box was saved brilliantly by Uzbek custodian Akmal Tursunbaev.
Tursunbaev produced another decent save to deny Germanpreet Singh’s powerful strike from 30 yards five minutes into the second half. Six minutes later, Holicharan Narzary found the Uzbek netminder on a one-on-one situation following a through pass from Abinas Rui Das but the forward’s shot was too weak and did not trouble Tursunbaev.
Three minutes later, Sergeev’s overhead kick from 12 yards flew over the crossbar after a lobbed pass from substitute midfielder Abbosbek Makhstaliev. Uzbekistan almost broke the deadlock in the 77th minute after two unsuccessful close-range efforts. First, Kozak’s shot was blocked by the Indian keeper before Makhstaliev hit the sidepost from a rebound.
