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Srecko Katanec wants his Uzbekistan side to not hold back when they play India in Group B of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Thursday.
Uzbekistan are third in the standings following their 0-0 draw against Syria, two points adrift of group leaders Australia who defeated India 2-0 on Matchday One.
“Normally when you’re playing a stronger team on paper, it is logical that the game will be tough for you,” said Katanec, in reference to India head coach Igor Stimac’s assessment about Uzbekistan. “We will try to do something on the field but the game will be completely different. They (India) are strong and aggressive and we have to find spaces and do our best.
“I have to prepare my team well and we have to be patient during the 90 minutes and we shall see how it goes. I’m taking it game by game and I know we have to win tomorrow to advance into the next stage and this is the main target for us. We must try our best to win the game, I’m confident we can achieve that.
“No, we are not under pressure. We have to stay positive and be involved in the game and treat the match as just another game in the tournament. If the players give their best tomorrow, I believe we can achieve our target.
“It’s about the mindset of the players and their attitude and mental preparation ahead of the game. I can field 10 defenders but if they have an attacking mindset then it will cause problems for the opponents. But if they are afraid to push forward, then it will provide the opportunity to the other team,” said Katanec, who led Iraq to the Round of 19 in the previous edition.
Stimac, meanwhile, is set to field a reshuffled line-up as India look to revive their campaign.
“It’s another crucial game for us. The match against Australia was fantastic, and I believe the lessons learned from that encounter will significantly benefit our future performances,” said Stimac.
“Uzbekistan are a formidable side, they are a highly technical side with tough opponents. Their players, particularly those in Eastern Europe, bring both experience and youthful energy.
“We are anticipating early pressure from them, and it’s crucial for us to be compact, vocal, and have a clear strategy for advancing into the final third and being effective there. We need to find a way to navigate through their strengths and capitalise on opportunities.
“Our mindset is geared towards winning, always maintaining a winning mentality. Our boys are ready, and I hope we create more opportunities than what we experienced in the first game.”
