Bhuvaneshwar : The Indian Football team lost 3-0 to Qatar at Kalinga Stadium. This was Qatar’s second win. They had beaten Afghanistan 8-1 last week. India, on the other hand, endure their first defeat after a 1-0 away win over Kuwait.
Qatar, who are also the reigning Asian Champions, started the match on an attacking note and maintained the tempo throughout the 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Mustafa Meshaal broke the deadlock in the initial stages of the first half, and fans witnessed the same being happened in the second only the scorer this time being different. Al Moez Ali netted the second goal for Qatar and substitute Gaber Abdul Sallam scored the third and final goal of the match.
India, on the other hand, showed spark during the course of the match but the intensity was nowhere close to their opponent.
Igor Stimac made 5 changes to the starting line-up that defeated Kuwait in the 1st match but it couldn’t stop Qatar from winning. Amrinder Singh, who replaced Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal, wasn’t at his best today.
Moustafa Mashal found the net with a quick right footer in the 4th minute of the Match.
Anirudh Thapa got a real chance to score in the 42nd minute as Boualem Khoukhi lost the ball just outside the box to the constant pressure from Indian captain Sunil Chhetri. He put it on well for Thapa but his shot went wide of the post despite beating Qatar custodian Meshaal Barsham.
In the 2nd half’s 47th minute, Marshal’s cross found Afif free inside India’s box on the left. Amrinder did try to block his tap but could not get the ball in full control. Almoez Ali, coming through the middle, put it past the goalline to make it 2-0.
India created another chance in the 65th minute. Suresh Singh made a great turn in the midfield and found Sahal Abdul Samad free on the left. He did run into the Qatar box with only the goalkeeper to beat but he shot well wide of the second post.
Qatar made it 3-0 five minutes from time through substitute Yusuf Abdurisag’s header.
