India Lost With 1-4 to Australia
This was India’s second consecutive defeat in the four-team group, having previously been defeated 2-4 by Iraq.
India’s campaign in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023 Qualifiers was derailed on Sunday when they were defeated 1-4 by Australia at the Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium in Kuwait City.
comparatively the match against Iraq, India was defeated but not humiliated like on Sunday, even if the scoreline suggested a rout.
After trailing by two goals in the first half, India showed great spirit in the second half and pulled one back through skipper Gurkirat Singh, whose sudden long ranger in the 63rd minute caught Australia goalkeeper Jack Warshawsky off guard before hitting the post and going in.
It wasn’t the only time Shanmugam Venkatesh’s team put Australia’s defense under pressure.
In fact, the team came dangerously close to bringing down the opposing goal on multiple occasions, but poor shooting and bad luck denied India at least a couple of goals that could have put them ahead.
The hosts were denied a late equalizer as Taison’s deflected shot was blocked off the line at the death.
India had a golden opportunity to restore parity in the 76th minute after reducing the margin through Gurkirat.
The Indian captain was back in the thick of things, rounding off the advancing Australian goalkeeper and sending the ball across an empty goal.
Taison came in from the other side to flick it, but it was stopped just in time, much to the relief of the Australian bench.
Himanshu Jangra cut inside in great style, but his shot came back after hitting the nearest upright on the left side, denying India another golden opportunity early in the second half.
Bikash Yumnam’s header landed inside the Indian net for their second goal.
Australia took the lead in the 12th minute after Garang Koul received the ball just inside the Indian box and smashed it home after going past defender Amandeep.
The Indians actually struggled in the midfield, allowing Alex Bandolato to take the ball in the middle without a proper challenge, and he took advantage of it by sending a perfect through to the right.
The Indians were even more frustrated by the way the second goal came against them in the 32nd minute.
Joseph Forde sent a cross from the right, and defender Bikash Yumnam came up with a header that landed inside the Indian net while attempting to clear the ball.
India surrendered two more goals in the final 5 minutes of the game as they tried to throw everything into the attack.
While Adrian Segecic struck spectacularly from a volley that beat Indian goalkeeper Syed Zahid Bukhari all ends up in the 86th minute, Max Caputo added the final nail during injury time.
AFC U-20 Asian Cup Indian team
Syed Zahid Bukhari, Amandeep, Bikash Yumnam, Sajad Hussain Parray, Abhishek Singh Teckham, Raj Basfore, Taison Singh Loitongbam, Vibin Mohanan, Maheson Singh Tongbram, Gurkirat Singh (captain), Himanshu Jangra (Aphaoba Singh 77′), Himanshu Jangra (Aphaoba Singh 77′).
