Ten-Man Kyrgyzstan edges India u-23

COLOMBO: Defending champions India got off to a bad start in the AFC Challenge Cup after a 2-1 loss to Kyrgyzstan in their opening game at the Sugathadash Stadium. After conceding two early goals in the first half, the u-23 colts upped the tempo in the second period following the dismissal of Kyrgyzstan skipper Aibek Bokoev, equalizing through a Denzel Franco penalty. 

 

Kyrgyzstan, the lowest ranked team in the tournament, got off to a dream start after the striking pair of ldar Amirov and Anton Zemlianuhin put them ahead at the halfway stage. 

 

Following a spill by India keeper Karanjit Singh off a low strike by Sergey Kaleutin from the edge of the area, Amirov was at hand to pounce on the rebound and dispatch it into the back of an empty net.

 

The lead was doubled in the 32nd minute following yet another defensive lapse as a moment of indecision by defender Dharmaraj Ravanan allowed a charging Zemlianuhin to steal the ball in the final third before calmly beating the keeper in a one-on-one situation.

 

 India pulled one back in the 58th minute after Kyrgyzstan defender Rustem Usanov handled the ball inside the area and Denzel Franco converted off the resulting spot-kick.

 

With the tie precariously poised and the Kyrgyzstan players struggling in the tropical humidity, the colts dominated possession in the second period and went all-out in search of an equalizer. Sushil Kumar Singh and Joaquim Abranches landed the best chances in a frantic last ten minutes to the game however it would be Kyrgyzstan's day as the referee signalled for full-time.

 

India take on Turkmenistan next on the 19th of Feb while Kyrgyzstan play DPR Korea.