The Hindu : Sport / Football : Indian frontline falters

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 30, 2006
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Indian frontline falters

Principal Correspondent

KOLKATA : India let go the opportunity of making a winning start as it squandered numerous scoring opportunities to settle for a 1-1 draw against Kyrgyzstan in its first match of AFC Youth Championship here at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday.

The group A league match, which followed Korea's 3-0 drubbing of Jordan in the afternoon, saw the host fashion an inspiring brand of attacking soccer. But the initiative failed to translate into a win as the old malady of being tentative at the striking zone surfaced time and again.

The visitor went into the lead in the 44th minute as striker Ildar Amirov's 44th-minute shot found the net. India found the reply through a set-piece situation when substitute Lalkamal Bhowmik scored from a 70th minute penalty.

The first session revealed the contrasting styles of the two opponents. The visitor did not brave an open approach facing an unknown opposition and an unfamiliar venue.

Indiscipline in attack

But it was neutralised by indiscipline in the attack as the Indian forwardline stuttered at the goalmouth. Striker Sushil Kumar Singh and midfielder Reisangmi Vashum showed how not to attempt a shot, when the Kyrgyz defence had opened up for them to try out.

The second session saw the game turn around totally in favour of India with Lalkamal Bhowmick's imaginative passing. Introduced in place of Lalramluaha, the diminutive gamemaker got the ball in the right places for the forwards — Sushil Singh and Branco Vincent Cardozo — to try for the much-needed equaliser. But each opportunity ended up with poor finish.

The goal finally came in the 70th minute when Branco was tripped by Kyrgyz defender Stepan Maigkih inside the latter's box, at which the Iranian referee Mohsen Torky instantly signalled the spot.

Bhowmik found the net to beat the tall Kyrgyz goalkeeper Pavel Matiash for one decisive moment. There were more opportunities for India but the winner was not to materialise.

Korea beats Jordan

Earlier Korea warmed up to its title defence beating Jordan 3-0 in the first group A match.

The Korean victory came on the expected lines as Jordan failed to match up enough resistance against the Asian powerhouse.

Striker Young Sung Shim played his role perfectly scoring once in each session while substitute Sang Ho Lee struck from the spot to complete the scoreline for the Koreans.

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