Dominican Republic will set out to book a place in the knockout stages of the Paris 2024 Olympics when they face off against Uzbekistan in their final Group C encounter at Parc des Princes on Tuesday.
While Dominican Republic still retain a faint shot at making it past the group stages, Uzbekistan have already been knocked out and now seek to bow out of the competition on a high.
Match preview
© Imago
Dominican Republic fell to an agonising 3-1 defeat against Spain in Saturday's meeting between the sides at the Matmut Atlantique.
Ibai Gomez's men opened their account for the competition through Angel Montes de Oca to cancel out Fermin Lopez's earlier goal before second-half strikes from Alex Baena and Miguel Gutierrez decided the game.
This came off the back of a 0-0 stalemate against Egypt in Dominican Republic's opening encounter on Wednesday afternoon which leaves them with one point from two matches so far.
As a result, the North Americans currently sit third in Group C, three points shy of Egypt and a further two adrift of leaders Spain.
While Dominican Republic will need results elsewhere to go their way to avoid an early exit in their debut appearance at the Olympics, they must first take care of business on their end by coming out on top here.
Uzbekistan just about came up short in their clash against Egypt, which ended in a 1-0 loss at Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday afternoon.
Timur Kapadze's men were in the ascendancy for large spells of the contest but were able to find an answer to Ahmed Nabil Koka's 11th-minute opener.
Currently the only side in Group C without a point to their name so far, the Central Asians currently sit bottom of the group and cannot go higher than third even if they come out on top in their next involvement.
Nonetheless, Uzbekistan will be keen to make history in the French capital on Tuesday by claiming a first-ever victory at this level.
Team News
Edison Azcona is not eligible to play any part for Uzbekistan having received his marching orders in the defeat to Spain.
This should see midfielder Oscar Urena return to the starting XI having had to make do with a place on the bench last time out.
Uzbekistan have little to play for here and could opt to ring the changes for this one with a number of players yet to take part across the first two matches.
Nonetheless, skipper Eldor Shomurodov is expected to retain his place in the XI as he looks to add to his one goal so far, which came from the penalty spot.
Dominican Republic possible starting lineup:
Valdez; De Lucas, Urbaez, Pujol; Nunez, Morschel, Messina, Reyes, Lorenzo; Urena, Federico
Uzbekistan possible starting lineup:
Nematov; Yuldoshev, Khamraliev, Khusanov, Alikulov; Buriev, Jiyanov; Fayzullaev, Kholmatov, Urunov; Shomurodov
We say: Dominican Republic 1-1 Uzbekistan
There is little to choose between the sides heading into this one and Tuesday's clash could easily swing either way. We are backing a share of the spoils with honours even in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
