A spirited India came back from twice being a goals down, but still lost 2-3 against 2010 runners-up Uzbekistan in the Group D opening match of the AFC Under-16 Championship at the Rah Ahan Stadium in Tehran on Sunday. India had the first chance of the match in the 6th minute when striker Daniel Lalhimpuia anticipated well and latched on to a loose ball. But the rival goalkeeper Eshbutaev Shokrukhjon recovered well in time to palm his intended overhead lob away. A couple of minutes later Uzbek forward Mukhiddin Odilov sneaked in to gather a pass from Izzatilla Abdullaev and rounded off Indian goalie Supratim Bhattacharjee to give his side the lead. The Uzbeks were the more mature side on display, but a brilliant Supratim Bhattacharjee and his defence denied the central Asians more goals in the first session.
The second session would be high on class and four goals would be scored. India regrouped in the break and equalised in the 47th minute when talented striker Uttam Rai headed in Daniel Lalhimpuia’s freekick from the corner of the inner box. But the lead didn’t last long as in the 53rd minute, Ibrokhim Abdullaev converted from the spot after the referee pulled-up Myron Mendes for bringing down goal scorer Odilov inside the box. Seven minutes later, India suffered a jolt in the 60th minute when captain Lalramzuava had to be replaced for a calf and hamstring cramp after he had marshalled the midfield with confidence.
It was again Uttam Rai who equalised amid confusion amongst the Uzbek defenders as he popped up the goal off a second half substitute Raja Rawat’s cross to score again for India in the 71st minute. But Uzbekistan would seal the match in their favour in the 79th minute when Ilhomjon volleyed in a low cross from the right. India went all out in the final 10 minutes but it wasn’t enough to equalise for a third time in the match.
After the match coach Colm Toal said, “We are talking about India playing Uzbekistan who are one of the top countries in Asia and giving them a good chase and scoring two goals past them are the clear sign of progression.”
“Our back four alongside with the goalkeepers were brilliant today, we brought the match at level twice so a point each would have been fair result. If you look at the circumstances we conceded the goals it’s unbelievable; the first was penalty and the second was scored when we were only 10-man in the field due to an injured player,” Toal added.
India next play Syria on Tuesday, September 25; who played a 1-1 draw against China in their opening match.
MATCH STATS
Uzbekistan 3-2 India – Goals: 1-0 Mukhiddin Odilov (8′), 1-1,2-2 Uttam Rai (47′,71′), 2-1 Ibrokhim Abdullaev (53′ pen), 3-2 Ilhomjon Abdiganiyev (79′)
Uzbekistan12-Shokhrukhjon Eshbutaev [C] – 2-Jamshid Boltaboev, 3-Islom Ismoilov (87′ 18-Oybek Erkinov), 4-Akramjon Komilov, 9-Ibrokhim Abdullaev – 7-Ravshanbek Khursanov, 13-Alisher Mirzaev (46′ 8-Ilhomjon Abdiganiyev), 15-Izzatilla Abdullaev (64′ 6-Ulugbek Davlatov), 17-Doctonbek Khamdamov, 20-Otabek Shukrov – 23-Mukhiddin OdilovUnused Subs: 1-Sarvar Karimov, 22-Abbosbek Ulmasbekov; 5-Shohjakhon Kilichev, 10-Javokhir Sidikov, 11-Akobir Turaev, 14-Islombek Karimov, 16-Adhamjon Ahmadjonov, 19-Khumoyun Agzamov, 21-Shohjahon Abbasov
India20-Supratim Bhattacharjee; 4-Gurba Gagrai, 7-Mohammed Sajid Dhot, 8-Myron Mendes, 11-Sarthak Golui; 15-Alen Deory, 18-Germanpreet Singh, 21-Issac Vanmalswama (68′ 3-Raja Rawat), 22-Khiangte Lalramzuava [C] (60′ 2-Nitin Jyal); 10-Uttam Rai, 14-Daniel Lalhlimpuia (85′ 13-Vanlalduatsanga)Unused Subs: 1-Agaipal Singh, 23-Avinash Kumar; 5-Jimmy Maibam, 6-Manraj Singh, 9-Nabin Rabha, 12-Vivekananda Sagayaraj, 16-Kamalpreet Singh, 17-Geremsha Basumatary, 19-Hanan Javed Nellikkavil
RefereeChaiya Mahapab (Thailand)
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