Asian Games football: India U-23 0-2 Jordan U-23 – Wim Koevermans’ side eliminated

Expected early exit for India

The India men’s under-23 football ended their 2014 Asian Games campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Jordan at the Incheon Munhak Stadium in South Korea on Monday evening.

Laith Al-Bishtawi opened the scoring in the 16th minute for the West Asian nation while Yazan Thalji netted the second in the 68th minute as Jordan made it two wins out of two.

It was a much disciplined display from Wim Koevermans’ side compared to the match against UAE but goalkeeper Amrinder Singh should have done better with both goals. As expected India make an early exit from the Asian Games thus failing to prove their critics wrong.

Koevermans made just two changes to the eleven that started against UAE as Semilen Doungel replaced Mandra Rao Desai while Lalrindika came in for the injured Pronay Halder.

Eager to make up for the disappointment in the opener, India started brightly with Robin Singh trying his luck from distance. A few minutes later the Bengaluru FC forward tested Mohammed Abu Nabhan.

However Jordan scored from their first attack of the game when Amrinder failed to hold a shot from outside the box and Al-Bishtawi pounced on the rebound to make it 1-0.

India produced a good response as skipper Sunil Chhetri came close after a fine team move. Jordan always looked dangerous when they got forward but their final ball was lacking quality.

Instead of going all out for the equaliser, India opted for a damage-limitation approach as they defended deep with two banks of four and were much better organised than they were in the heavy defeat to UAE.

The second half had a similar pattern with Jordan dominating possession and India sitting back. When in possession, the South Asian nation were wasteful as they kept misplacing simple passes.

With only a point needed to secure top spot in the group, Jordan played at a slower tempo but always looked in control.

The second goal also could have been avoided as a cross from Jordan’s right wing wasn’t dealt with by the Indian defence, allowing Yazan Thalji to shoot towards goal which Amrinder couldn’t keep out.

India were happy to keep the scoreline respectable and thus didn’t commit too many bodies forward to get back into the game.

Jordan raised the pace of their passing in the final twenty minutes and could have scored more had their finishing been better.

India ended their campaign without any points and goals and the two performances don’t provide much optimism for the future as the players and coaching staff failed to deliver.

India lineup: Amrinder Singh; Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, Joyner Laurenco, Narayan Das; Francis Fernandes, Siam Hanghal (Milan Singh 75), Lalrindika Ralte, Semilen Doungel; Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh