Al Rayyan: Uzbekistan bolstered their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ with a convincing 3-0 victory over India in a crucial Group B match on Thursday. The win at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium took Uzbekistan to four points, placing them behind group leaders Australia.
The match saw first-half goals from Abbosbek Fayzullayev, Igor Sergeyev, and Sherzod Nasrullayev, which were instrumental in securing Uzbekistan’s win. The victory also means Australia, who defeated Syria 1-0 earlier on Thursday, are assured of a spot in the knockout stage.
India’s defeat, their second consecutive in the tournament, puts their hopes of advancing in jeopardy. They now face the task of winning their final group tie against Syria to keep their chances alive.
Uzbekistan’s win not only strengthens their position in Group B but also adds intrigue to the final round of matches. The top two teams from each group, along with the best four third-placed sides, progress to the next stage of the tournament.
For India, the remaining group match becomes crucial, as they will aim to bounce back and secure a victory against Syria. Uzbekistan, meanwhile, will look to build on their momentum as they continue their campaign in the AFC Asian Cup.
