India vs Uzbekistan, AFC Asian Cup 2023: Akash Mishra Injury Set To Trouble India In Next Match

Add as a preferred source on Google

The Indian football team already flew to Qatar without several key players with injuries. The team flew without Anwar Ali, Jeakson Singh, and Ashique Kuruniyan. It seems the number's increasing every day.

Sahal Abdul Samad is yet to recover from his injury. As per reports, Akash Mishra has now added his name to the already long list. Mishra would have been an asset if India wanted to go on the offensive approach.

Reportedly, during a 5v5 game in a training session with the team at Qatar, Mishra sustained an injury. It came from a rough tackle from Naorem Mahesh Singh. At the end of it, Mishra was apparently limping off the ground.

India took a defensive approach during their first AFC Asian Cup 2023 match against the Socceroos. It was natural considering Australia were a much superior side whose weakness was deep-sitting teams and India exploited that.

Uzbekistan is another formidable side the Indian football team is set to take on. They are sitting 34 places above the Blue Tigers in the FIFA rankings. Hence, India's defense needs to be just as solid as their first game.

Additionally, almost no attacking effort was seen from the Indian side in their maiden AFC Asian Cup 2023 game. However, considering the opponent, the coach could take the risk in the coming match to line up a more attacking side.

In that case, Akash Mishra would have helped coach Stimac. Subhasish Bose on the left flank worked well in the last match for his defensive prowess. However, comparatively, Mishra is a more attack-minded fullback.

As a result, he would've been the perfect choice for the coach in the left-back position. Mishra’s absence would cost coach Stimac the left flank in times of attack. Now that he has joined Samad on the sidelines, everyone is waiting for the medical staffs’ opinion on whether the two would be fit in due time.