The Indian soccer group went down 2-4 towards Iraq in its opening fixture of the AFC U-20 Championship Group H qualifiers right here.
The primary aim of the match got here as early as within the second minute on Friday, as Iraq scored by way of Abdulrazzaq Qasim’s curling effort with the skin of his boot.
India seemed to reply instantly, as each Gurkirat Singh and Taison Singh created hazard repeatedly for the rival defence inside a span of couple of minutes however have been introduced down with fouls.
The strain paid off within the twenty second minute ultimately as Gurkirat scored with a well timed shot, after Vibin Mohanan performed in Taison, who laid it on a plate for the ahead.
Gurkirat turned from scorer to supplier within the thirty third minute as he essayed a wonderful by way of go, with Maheson Singh making use of the completion with a dink over the goalkeeper.
The Indians 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 a superb sort out within the fortieth minute.
The second half started with India creating the primary alternative, as Himanshu Jangra’s header was saved by Iraq goalkeeper 5 minutes after the break.
Nonetheless, Hayder Tofee nodded in a cross from the left flank to tug issues again for Iraq solely a minute later.
Zahid made one other glorious save within the 62nd minute, protecting out a strong shot by Abdul Razzak. However one minute after, Sadeeq Shaheen slipped previous the Indian defence to attain and provides his group the lead.
The Iraqi facet prolonged their benefit within the 71st minute, after Azad Kalouri’s cross took a deflection off Bikash Yumnam and went into the online.
India made a late surge, with Suhail Bhat inches away from changing Taison’s cross from the fitting flank with quarter-hour remaining.
Gurkirat got here shut as soon as once more, whereas Suhail’s header within the final minute of regulation crashed into the crossbar. In damage time, Bikash hurled a protracted throw into the Iraq field, as Amandeep headed it, however his effort went inches broad.
Within the subsequent match, India will play Australia on Sunday.