Indian Football wrap, January 27: India U-20 men’s team suffers second consecutive loss in Mandiri Challenge Series
Indian Football wrap, January 27: India U-20 men’s team suffers second consecutive loss in Mandiri Challenge Series
The India U-20 men’s team lost 0-5 to Jordan in the second match of the Mandiri U-20 Challenge Series at the Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, on Monday.
It was the Blue Colts’ second loss on the trot after going down 1-6 to Syria in the opening match last Friday.
After beating Indonesia 1-0, Jordan have now racked up two wins in two. India will take on Indonesia in their third and final match on Thursday, January 30.
The four-nation friendly tournament was expected to be an uphill task for India, which is participating with under 17 and 18 players, while its opponents are using the games to prepare for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup.
Up against faster and physically stronger Jordanians, India, in fact, made a promising start by keeping it goalless until the 45th minute.
It had to take something special to beat the Indian defence, and it arrived via Fakhoury in the first minute of added time, who found the top corner with a solid strike from 25 yards. In the very next minute, he scored the second with a low shot past Makkar.
Early in the second half, Fakhoury turned provider as he released with a defence-splitting pass. The forward slotted it through the Indian custodian’s legs to make it 3-0.
Mohammad Taha’s corner created the fourth goal in the 69th minute. First, Sabra’s header came off the post before Ezz Aldin Abualsood headed the rebound only for Manbhakupar Malngiang to clear it off the line. However, Jordan scored at the third time of asking, with Yousef Al Maqableh finally heading the clearance into the net.
Substitute Omar Ghona Joq wrapped up the scoring in the 90th minute with a well-placed strike from the top of the 18-yard box.
– Team Sportstar
