Uzbekistan secured a convincing 4-0 victory over India, which propelled the team to the top of Group B in the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 qualifying tournament. After two matches, the Uzbek national team has accumulated six points and now only needs to win or draw in the upcoming Sunday match against Syria to advance to the final stage of the tournament.
Match between Uzbekistan and India
The Uzbek team quickly took the lead in the game, scoring the first goal in the 29th minute. The goal was scored by Ulugbek Maratov following a scramble in the penalty area. Immediately after this, Kuvanishbek Saidakiyev missed a chance to double the advantage, shooting wide of the left post.
In the 34th minute, Uzbekistan scored its second goal when Kuvanchbek Abraev converted a free-kick from about 23 meters out, beating Indian goalkeeper Suraj Singh. Before halftime, Singh prevented further pressure by deflecting another long-range shot from Abraev over the crossbar.
In the second half, Uzbekistan continued to create chances. In the 65th minute, Abraev forced Singh into another save. Two minutes later, Shorohim Shorakhmedov capitalized on a defensive error on the right flank, bypassed the defender, and sent the ball into the upper left corner, making the score 3-0. The final score was sealed by Nurbek Sersenbayev in the 90th minute, who ran past the defense line and finished the attack with a tap-in past Singh.
The 4-0 result placed Uzbekistan at the top of Group B. Now the team only needs to avoid defeat against Syria on Sunday to secure its participation in the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027.
Other group matches
In another group match, Syria defeated Bangladesh 3-0, thus preserving its hopes for qualification. Syria earned its first three points in the tournament before facing Uzbekistan, while Bangladesh will play against India in the final group match.
Syria opened the scoring against Bangladesh one minute before halftime. Alam Mamo received a pass from Abdullah Al Najjar on the edge of the penalty area and shot into the right corner. Earlier, Al Najjar created two scoring opportunities: his shot in the 17th minute was saved by goalkeeper Raj Choudhury, and his attempt in the 22nd minute went wide of the goal.
Marios Al Herek doubled Syria's lead in stoppage time of the first half, breaking through the center of the penalty area and scoring past Choudhury. Syria maintained pressure after halftime; Choudhury saved a curling shot by Majd Almeri in the 77th minute, and three minutes later stopped Al Hassan Hasan. Al Najjar sealed the score in the 90th minute, hitting a low long-range free-kick through the Bangladesh defense into the net.
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