Match 3: India U 19 0 - 2 Afghanistan U 19
The Indian U-19 National Team went down 0-2 against Afghanistan in their third and final match of the AFC U-19 Qualifier today (October 06, 2015) at the Faisal Al-Husseini Stadium in Al-Ram, Palestine.
On a cool breezy evening in Al-Ram, the Indian Colts were left reeling for their missed opportunities as Afghanistan led by a solitary goal at half-time and scored against the run-of-play in the second half to take home the three points. However, the match would have been a different complexion altogether had the Indian colts had their goal-scoring boots on. In the 2nd minute, Lallianzuala’s rocket-of-a-shot, which earned an acrobatic save from Moquem Matem rung the attacking bells for India. Six minutes later, Nishu Kumar’s attempt was ricocheted off the Afghan defence for a corner kick.
With India enjoying possession and controlling the tempo of the match, chances to score the opening goal of the match came in plenty. First, an Ashique cross from the left flank was headed wide by Lallianzuala, with the goal at his mercy in the 22nd minute. Next, Bidyananda’s spectacular effort from 25 yards earned an uncanny save from Matem, which fell into Lallianzuala’s stride, who once again failed to blast the ball home from hand-shaking distance. As the Indian colts failed to make the most of their opportunities, Afghanistan capitalized from their single shot on goal in the first half, as they scored from a corner kick in the 44th minute.
Changing over, and the Indian colts fostered another goal scoring opportunity. This time Daniel’s shot, after a tacky one-touch play around the Afghan 18-yard box was saved by Maten in the 46th minute. Two minutes later- déjà vu - as Daniel was once again denied the opportunity to open the goal scoring charts for India by Maten. Even with Afghanistan committing bodies around their 18 yard box, India fostered goal scoring opportunities, however, to no avail. In the 60th minute, Afghanistan’s custodian made a howler as he failed to collect Lallianzuala’s whipped-in cross. However, the cross fell to Ashique, who instead of tapping it home slotted it wide.
Two minutes later, the Indian colts were handed another golden opportunity to equalize their deficit as Nishu Kumar’s shot went inches wide of the post, following a corner kick. Head Coach Lee Johnson shuffled his pack and introduced Milan Basumatary in place of Bidyananda Singh in the 76th. And soon after the substitute came close to equalizing India’s deficit as his shot earned a top-notch save from Maten. Thereafter, Afghanistan doubled their lead in the 79th minute and adopted a defensive stance to see out the match.
The Indian Colts leave for Indian shores tomorrow and will resume their participation in the FAM-FRENZ Asia Champions Trophy 2015 on October 14, 2015 when they clash swords against Thailand’s Chonburi FC, next.
India starting XI against Afghanistan: Sukhadev Patil (GK); Shahabaaz, Mohd Sajid Dhot, Lalthakima, Nishu Kumar; Bidyananda Singh (76’ – Milan Basumatary), Malsawmzuala, Muhammed Ashique (87’ - Suman Sarkar), Lallianzuala, Mawihmingthanga, Daniel Lalhlimpuia (C).
Match 2: India U 19 0 - 7 UAE U 19
The Indian U-19 National Team lost 0-7 against United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the AFC U-19 Qualifiers, today (October 04, 2015) at the Faisal Al-Husseini Stadium in Al-Ram, Palestine.
The Indian colts play Afghanistan in their third and final match of the AFC U-19 Qualifiers on October 06, 2015.
Coming on the back of a solitary goal defeat against hosts Palestine, the Indian contingent started to press their opponents from the opening minutes of the match but fell behind to a Jassim Yaqoob penalty in the 14th minute, against the run of play, following a challenge in the 18 yard box. In the 26th minute of the match, the Indian colts came close to equalizing their deficit as an Amey Ranawade free-kick ricocheted off the UAE defence whiskers past the UAE goal, for a corner kick. However, as soon as the Indian colts started to control the tempo of the match, UAE scored again to double their lead in the 34th minute from a corner kick.
Two quick goals for UAE in the dying minutes of the first half meant that the Indian colts would go into the tunnel trailing 4-0 at half-time. Changing over Head Coach Lee Johnson decided to shuffle his pack as he introduced Muhammed Ashique and Lallianzuala in place of Rakesh Oram and Lalramzuava respectively. In the 50th minute, substitute Lallianzuala’s shot after a blistering run went inches wide of the goal. Three minutes later, UAE were awarded another penalty, which however, was saved by Shivaji Patil. But Hassan followed it up to head and make it 5-0 and thereafter UAE scored two more.
India U 19 Squad: Shivaji Patil (GK); Nishu Kumar, Mohd Sajid Dhot, Lalthakima, Amey Ranawade; Lalramzuava (45’ – Muhammed Ashique), Rakesh Oram (45’ – Lallianzuala), Vinit Rai (80’ - Milan Basumatary), Malsawmzuala, Daniel Lalhlimpuia (C), Mawihmingthanga.
Match 1: India U 19 0 - 1 Palestine U 19
The Indian U-19 National Team went down fighting 0-1 against hosts Palestine at the Faisal Al-Hussieni Stadium in Al-Ram, Palestine in their opening match of the AFC U-19 Qualifiers on October 02, 2015.
A Mohammed Yousef goal in the 15th minute proved to be the difference between the two sides and led Palestine to garner their first win of the qualifying campaign. Speaking in the official post match press conference, Head Coach of the Indian U-19 National Team Lee Johnson said, “We lost the match because we gave Palestine too much respect in the opening minutes of the first half and that is when they punished us.”
“We were the better Team in the second half and I am proud of the Players as they showed great character to get back in the game”. “However in Football goals win you games it is as simple as that,” Lee added.
Meanwhile, Head Coach of the Palestinian National Team, Ayman Sandouka praised the charismatic never-say-die attitude of the Indian players and said, “India were very hard to break down. They were making it very difficult for us to keep possession and play our game”
On a relatively cool night in Al-Ram, the Indian colts showcased defensive solidity as they thwarted their Palestinian opponents with composure and organization for most of the match. However a moment of complacency allowed the Palestinians to take the decisive lead against the run of play in the 15th minute when Mohammed Yousef slotted home his chance, past a diving Shivaji Patil. Not the be deterred, the Indian colts jotted down their attacking opportunities with sheer finesse and in the 22nd minute, Daniel’s shot was saved by the Palestinian custodian after a tacky one-touch play around the 18 yard box.
With the 12th man - the fans – inhibiting an intimidating and electrifying atmosphere through chants of their own, the Palestinian opponents started to conduct raids on the Indian citadel, but to no avail.
Nishu Kumar’s radar disrupted as many as two Palestinian attacks, while safeguarding the Indian defence. Both Teams cancelled each other out, as they entwined in a raging battle for midfield and at half-time the Indian colts trailed by a solitary goal against Palestine.
Changing over and the Indian contingent were straight out of their blocks as they adopted an attacking stance. A glitzy move in the 48th minute which saw Daniel onto goal was sweeped away by the Palestinian custodian. Nine minutes later, Ming’s exquisite long defense piercing ball found Rakesh Oram clear onto goal, but the latter was flagged offside. In the 79th minute of the match Ming burst onto the left asphalt but and would’ve been clear onto goal, had Palestine’s last defender not made an inch-perfect tackle.
In an attempt to churn points from the match, the Indian colts attacked all-out, but to no avail. And at the end of full-time the score-line read 1-0 in favor of the Palestinian National Team.
India starting XI against Palestine: Shivaji Patil (GK); Nishu Kumar, Sarthak Golui, Amey Ranawade, Lalthakima (82’ – Vinit Rai); Lalramzuava, Malsawmzuala, Rakesh Oram (88’ – Suman Sarkar), Daniel Lalhlimpuia (C), Lallianzuala Chhangte (66’ – Milan Basumatary), Mawihmingthanga.
Courtesy: AIFF (www.the-aiff.com)
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