Abahani hold Uzbeks
Uzbekistan U-23 team played a warm-up match against Abahani which ended in a goalless draw at the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club ground yesterday.
Uzbekistan, ranked 72nd in the FIFA rankings are the favourites among the four teams of Group E, struggled in the scorching heat during the match but there was no doubt about their competence regarding ball possession, skills, quick movements and standard of play though they did not break the deadlock against Abahani that fielded five foreign players.
The Uzbeks initially used two flanks but were denied by Abahani's two central defenders Nigerian Ubom Henry and Ghanaian Samad Yussif.
In the second half, Uzbekistan tried with a new set of players in which Abahani enjoyed a little bit better ball possession and went close to breaking the deadlock once.
It was a good opportunity for the coaching staff of Bangladesh to watch the Uzbekistan before facing them in their second match on March 29. Many senior national players also turned up to watch the match.
'You never judge the opponents in a practice match because no one could give their full effort in such matches. It was a good result though Uzbekistan enjoyed the lion's share of ball procession that meant they had full concentration on the match,' said Bangladesh's Dutch coach Lodewijk de Kruif after watching the match at the Dhanmondi Club ground yesterday.
De Kruif supposed that Abahani's formation of 5-3-2 in the first half and 4-4-2 in the second half worked well to hold Uzbekistan and their five foreign players played key roles in the match.
De Kruif also noted that Uzbekistan have four to five dangerous players who can change the fate of the game.
Meanwhile, India had their first training session under the floodlights at the Bangabandhu National Stadium ahead of the AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers.
India had one hour training as they also set their sights on qualification for the final round.
'Every team came here for qualifying to the final though we don't know what will happen but we will surely give our 100 percent effort,' said Indian coach Savio Madeira.
India came here with just two weeks preparation with the players who mostly reserves for their respective clubs in the Indian League but Madeira is hopeful with his charges.
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