India were handed a 0-3 defeat by a dominant Uzbekistan in their first qualifier of the AFC U-23 Championship on Monday at Tashkent.
The defending champions started on the frontfoot and exuded confidence in their passing and style of play. They looked settled in possession but struggled to carve out clear-cut chances.
India, at the other end, threatened on the break. Anirudh Thapa sent a shot on target before Rahul KP's menacing run from the right flank into the box left him with just the goalkeeper to beat. Umidjon Ergashev made himsef big and pulled off a good save.