AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers HIGHLIGHTS: India 2-4 Iraq : India U20 HIGHLIGHTS: The Indian U20 team suffered a 4-2 loss at the hand of Iraq. This was their opening encounter of the 2023 AFC U20 ASIAN CUP QUALIFIERS. It was Gurkirat Singh who put India on the level after Iraq found the lead in the early second minute. Maheson did put India into lead right before the break. However, India failed to hold their momentum in the second half as they conceded three consecutive goals. Follow AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers updates with InsideSport.IN
AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers HIGHLIGHTS: IND 2-4 IRQ, Iraq hand India loss in campaign opener, defence look dismantled- CHECK HIGHLIGHTS
AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers HIGHLIGHTS: IND 2-4 IRQ, Iraq hand India loss in campaign opener, defence look dismantled- CHECK HIGHLIGHTS
The first goal of the match came as early as the second minute. Iraq scored through Abdulrazzaq Qasim’s curling effort with the outside of his boot. India looked to respond immediately, as both Gurkirat and Taison created danger repeatedly for the rival defence within a span of few minutes but were brought down with fouls.
FULL-TIME in Kuwait City!
A difficult 2nd half for us today, but the boys will come back in the next game.
🇮🇶 4-2 🇮🇳
📺 https://t.co/dYQXyNnCrA#IRQIND ⚔️ #AFCU20 🏆 #BackTheBlue 💙 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/0AA1fqMQ6F
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 14, 2022
The pressure paid off in the 22nd minute eventually as Gurkirat scored with a timely shot. Vibin played in Taison, who laid it on a plate for the forward. Gurkirat turned from scorer to provider in the 33rd minute. He essayed a fine through pass, with Maheson applying the finishing touch The Indian side went into the breather with the lead, with Zahid Bukhari denying efforts from Ashar Ali and Abbood Rabah, and Amandeep stopping Hayder Tofee in his tracks with an excellent tackle in the 40th minute
AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers HIGHLIGHTS: IND 2-4 IRQ, Iraq hand India loss in campaign opener, defence look dismantled- CHECK HIGHLIGHTS
The second half began with India creating the first opportunity. Himanshu Jangra’s header was saved by Iraq goalkeeper five minutes after the break. However, Hayder Tofee nodded in a cross from the left flank to pull things back for Iraq. Zahid made another excellent save in the 62nd minute, keeping out a powerful shot by Abdulrazzak. But one minute after, Sadeeq Shaheen slipped past the Indian defence to score and give his team the lead.
The Iraqi side extended their advantage in the 71st minute, after Azad Kalouri’s cross took a deflection off Bikash Yumnam and went into the net. Suhail Bhat wass inches away from converting Taison’s cross from the right flank with 15 minutes left to play. Gurkirat came close once again, while Suhail’s header in the last minute of regulation crashed into the crossbar. In injury time, Bikash hurled a long throw into the Iraq box. Amandeep headed it, but his effort went inches wide.
India XI:
Syed Zahid; Amandeep, Bikash Yumnam, Sibajit Singh, Vibin Mohanan, Gurkirat Singh, Himanshu Jangra, Maheson Singh, Abhishek Singh, Raj Basfore, Taison Singh.
AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers HIGHLIGHTS: IND 2-4 IRQ, Iraq hand India loss in campaign opener, defence look dismantled- CHECK HIGHLIGHTS
Follow AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers updates with InsideSport.IN
