Ulugbek Maratov opened the scoring in the 29th minute before Kuvonchbek Abraev doubled Uzbekistan’s advantage with a free-kick. The India U20 men’s team suffered a 0-4 defeat against hosts Uzbekistan in their second AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers match at the Do’stlik Stadium in Tashkent on Thursday.
Shorakhim Shorakhmedov added the third in the 67th minute, while substitute Nurbek Sersenbaev completed the scoring in the 90th, according to a press release from the AIFF Media.
A victory for India, coupled with Syria failing to beat Uzbekistan, will see Mahesh Gawali’s side finish second and give them a strong chance of qualifying as one of the seven best runners-up across the eight groups. The goal was disallowed, however, after Maratov was adjudged to have obstructed India goalkeeper Suraj Singh Aheibam while standing in an offside position. Abraev delivered a corner from the right towards the far post, where the unmarked Mukhammadali Dilshodbekov headed the ball back across goal. His strike hit the inside of the post before nestling in the back of the net, leaving Suraj with no chance and giving Uzbekistan a two-goal cushion heading into the break.
Despite the loss, India remain second in Group B on the head-to-head criterion, courtesy of their 1-0 victory over Syria in the opening match. The Blue Colts, aiming to end their 20-year absence from the AFC U20 Asian Cup, will face Bangladesh in their final group fixture on September 6. India were undone by another set-piece when Abraev produced a superb free-kick from 25 yards.
The pressure finally told two minutes later when Uzbekistan broke the deadlock from another set-piece.
