India hold current Asian Games champion Uzbekistan to a goalless draw:
November 16 - Delhi: India 0-0 Uzbekistan - Goals: none.
Playing a 4-4-2 tactical format, the Indians were better in the first half. In fact Baichung Bhutia and IM Vijayan had
two close chances to pull apart the robust Uzbek defence. But, playing a match together for the first time this season, they
didn't combine well. The Indians conceded considerable area in the second half when the visitors played wide after spreading
out in midfield.
"I am happy, but not satisfied," said the indian team's coach, Syed Nayeemuddin. "Considering the 14-month gap (in not
having played an international) this was not bad. I thought the defence, including the goalkeeper (Juje Siddi) played well
to deny such a strong team," the coach added. The relief on Nayeemuddin's face, in contrast to his tense mood on Sunday, was
palpable.
INDIA: Juje Siddi, Roberto Fernandes, Franky Baretto, Jiju Jacob, KV Dhanesh, Carlton
Chapman (Khalid Jameel 71'), Debjit Ghosh, Basudev Mondal, Jo Paul Ancheri (Tushar Rakshit 50'), Baichung Bhutia, IM Vijayan
[Captain].
Pathetic show by India, Uzbekistan pump in four:
November 19 - Calcutta: India 0-4 Uzbekistan - Goals: 0:1 Alexander Khyostunov, 0:2 Sergey Lebedev, 0:3 Jafar
Irismetov, 0:4 Gofurov Rashidjon.
Expectations of India putting up a good show against Uzbekistan was pitchforked as the visitors slammed in four goals,
three coming in the first half itself infront of 10.000 spectators at the Saltlake Stadium. Perhaps, the Uzbek's took time
to assess the Indian team in Delhi or that the ground conditions at the Ambedkar stadium did not prompt them to go all out,
but here, they brought the Indian defence to its knees. It initiated most of the attacks through wing backs, Eduard Momotov
and Sergey Lushan and exhibited excellent technique in attacking the opponent midfield. Displaying fine one-touch play, they
planned moves with quick interchange of positions or through crisp wall-pass. The Indian team as a whole had a bad day, only
with the exception of Baichung Bhutia having normal form.
INDIA: Juje Siddi, Roberto Fernandes, Franky Baretto, Jiju Jacob, KV Dhanesh, Carlton
Chapman (Raman Vijayan), Debjit Ghosh, Basudev Mondal, Jo Paul Ancheri (Shamshi Reza, Tushar Rakshit), Baichung Bhutia, IM
Vijayan [Captain] (Abdul Khalique).