Fujairah: While the nation mourned the loss of one team India, another team India was winning 2-1 against Oman. A goal and a sublime assist from Rahim Ali and another goal Vikram Pratap Singh secured India, its first victory in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, at Fujairah, UAE.
The Blue Colts had the most dominating start, keeping Oman under constant pressure. Ali gave India an early lead in the sixth minute from a perfectly placed spot-kick that was awarded following a foul on Vikram. Six minutes later Akash Mishra fed Hyderabad FC forward, Aniket Jadhav with a brilliant cross, but the Oman custodian was quick to deny it.
However, Akash himself made the way for the second making a good run in the 37th minute to pass it to Ali who laid it off to Vikram. The Minerva graduate made no mistakes in slotting it in, deservingly extending the lead.
India could have their third goal of the night, courtesy Aniket but it was ruled offside after Rahul KP made one of his signature runs and crossed it to Aniket.
Even with misses from players like Bryce Miranda, India held on to its lead. Dheeraj Singh provided a string of brilliant saves to help India hold on but was deprived of the clean sheet with only a minute of regulation time remaining. Substitute Waleed Salim put it past Dheeraj to earn a goal back for his side, however, the match ended with India bagging all three points.
The Blue Colts now sit at the top of Group E tied with Kyrgyz Republic with identical points and goal difference. The squad will be back in action on October 27, taking on hosts UAE.
