AFC Asian Cup, IND vs UZB: India eyes redemption in crucial clash, all you need to know

AFC Asian Cup, IND vs UZB: India and Uzbekistan are set to lock horns in their second clash of Group B in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium on Thursday. India is coming into the contest with a 2-0 defeat against Australia while Uzbekistan also failed to get off to a winning start as they played a goalless draw against Syria.

India's defense was spot on in the first half against Australia but two lethal blows from Australia's Jackson Irvine (50') and Jordan Bos (73') in the second half sealed the game in their favor.

Football: India (WR 102) will next take on WR 68 Uzbekistan later tonight in their 2nd match of Asian Cup.

⏰ 2000 hrs IST
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Both India and Uzbekistan will face each other for the first time since their clash in the 2001 Merdeka Cup in Kuala Lumpur, which had gone in Uzbekistan's favor. Uzbekistan had crushed India 2-1 in that contest.

India's head coach Igor Stimac will be looking for his men to replicate their first-half defensive solidity against Australia. Sunil Chhetri's leadership alongside young guns like Manvir Singh and Ishan Pandita will be crucial to breaking the Uzbek defense.

Uzbekistan has upper hand

Uzbekistan is ranked 68, comparatively higher than India in the FIFA world rankings. Uzbekistan has individual talent like Eldor Shomurodov and Oston Urunov while, it lacks the recent competitive experience compared to India, who faced tough competition in qualifiers. 

Head-to-head record

• India vs Uzbekistan 2-2 - April 4, 1997 (Nehru Gold Cup) 
• India vs Uzbekistan 0-0 - November 16, 1998 (International Friendly) 
• India vs Uzbekistan 0-4 - November 19, 1998 - (International Friendly) 
• Uzbekistan vs India 2-0 - December 9, 1998 - (Asian Games)
• India vs Uzbekistan 2-3 - November 24, 1999 - (AFC Asian Cup)
• Uzbekistan vs India 2-1 - June 26, 2001 - (Merdeka Cup)

Where to watch India vs Uzbekistan clash?

The live wire clash of India vs Uzbekistan AFC Asian Cup 2024 will be streaming live on JioCinema.

Which TV channel will broadcast the India vs Uzbekistan clash?

The highly anticipated clash of India vs Uzbekistan in the AFC Asian Cup 2024 will be broadcast live on the Sports18 TV channel.