India lose 2-4 to Iraq in opening AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifying fixture

The Indian soccer staff went down 2-4 in opposition to Iraq in its opening fixture of the AFC U-20 Championship Group H qualifiers right here.

The first aim of the match got here as early as within the second minute on Friday, as Iraq scored by means of Abdulrazzaq Qasim’s curling effort with the skin of his boot.

India regarded to reply instantly, as each Gurkirat Singh and Taison Singh created hazard repeatedly for the rival defence inside a span of jiffy however had been introduced down with fouls.

The stress paid off within the twenty second minute finally 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 positive by means of move, with Maheson Singh making use of the of entirety 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.

However, Hayder Tofee nodded in a cross from the left flank to tug issues again for Iraq solely a minute later.

Zahid made one other wonderful save within the 62nd minute, conserving out a robust shot by Abdul Razzak. But one minute after, Sadeeq Shaheen slipped previous the Indian defence to attain and provides his staff 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 harm time, Bikash hurled an extended throw into the Iraq field, as Amandeep headed it, however his effort went inches huge.
In the subsequent match, India will play Australia on Sunday.