NEW DELHI, Jan 17
After the loss to Australia in the first match of its AFC Asian Cup campaign, India need to look for at least a draw against Uzbekistan to keep hopes of advancing in the tournament alive. But, that is easier said than done. The central Asian team, a rising power in the continent, is ranked 34 spots higher than India in the latest FIFA rankings and has been on a fine run of form.
Uzbekistan has played 15 matches since the start of 2023, winning nine, drawing four and losing only two.
It has scored 27 goals and conceded 14 against opponents whose average rank was 75. The most noteworthy results were a 1-1 draw against Venezuela (then ranked 22 places above Uzbekistan), a 3-3 draw against Mexico, which was 62 places higher, and a 2-2 draw against Iran—then 52 places higher. India, by comparison, has played 17 games, winning eight, drawing five and losing four, while scoring 21 and conceding 14, against opponents with an average ranking of 122.
India started 2023 at the 106th rank and rose to 99, before falling to its current rank of 102. Uzbekistan’s form in 2023 saw it climbing from rank 77 at the start of the year to the current spot at 68.
However, in their Asian Cup opener against Syria on January 13, Uzbekistan were held to a 0-0 draw by the 91-ranked team. This means there is hope if India is to reciprocate the courageous effort they put up against Australia on January 13. As they drew a blank against Syria, the Uzbeks badly missed their top goalscorer Eldor Shomurodov, who is out with an injury.
28-year-old forward Shomurodov, nicknamed the Uzbek Messi, is also the captain of the team. However his game does not resemble Messi’s. Shomurodov is 6’3”, versatile, powerful and strong in the air, with surprising acceleration and is capable of progressive runs.
He also has good spatial awareness.
Notably, Shomurodov was one of the recently sacked Jose Mourinho’s first signings after he took over as AS Roma manager in 2021. He won the UEFA Europa Conference League in his first season in Rome, thereby becoming the first Uzbek football player to win a European club competition. Shomurodov played 40 games in his first season with Roma, scoring five goals, but fell down the pecking order in his second season and has been on loan since January 2023, first at Spezia and now at Cagliari, both in the Serie A.
Though his Roma career is not ideal, his Serie A experience would have been a major challenge for the Blue Tigers as it is a level far superior to any that Indians have ever played in. So, his injury is a major boost for India.
Shomurodov’s absence will also be an opportunity for younger players to step up and perform.
The Uzbek attack has an exciting young talent in Abbosbek Fayzullaev.
The 20-year-old can play both as a winger and as an attacking midfielder. He was chosen as his country’s best footballer for 2023 and also secured a move to Europe last year when he joined CSKA Moscow, though the prestigious Russian club is banned from European competitions because of the invasion of Ukraine.
Fayzullaev, who is donning the No 22 for Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup, started the Syria match on the bench. He was brought on in the 46th minute as the team looked for a goal. And though he showed sparks of creativity, he was unable to deliver for his team on the night. If he gets a chance against India, Fayzullaev, who has only eight appearances and one goal for Uzbekistan, will be hungry to prove his worth to his national team.
One of the most exciting young prospects at the tournament, alongside the players of heavyweights like Japan, Iran and South Korea, is 19-year-old Uzbek centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov. He plays for French first division club Lens, for whom he has made seven appearances in the ongoing season. This includes two appearances in the UEFA Champions League against Arsenal and Sevilla—names all too familiar to Indian football fans.
White Wolves number 25 Khusanov started the Syria match and played the full 90 minutes looking composed and confident in defence. Along with the more experienced defenders in the team, he will mount quite a defence against any Indian attack.
But, as always in football, one slip-up is all it takes.
