Al Khobar (Saudi Arabia), Nov 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) India began their AFC U-19 Championship 2020 qualification campaign with a 0-2 loss against Uzbekistan on Wednesday at the Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Al Khobar here.
The match was goalless after the break, with both sides threatening to score, but the Uzbeks scored twice in the second half to pick up the three points.
The first half began with India earning the first chance of the game in just the second minute. Gurkirat Singh latched on to a loose ball in the middle and charged towards the goal, but his effort was off target.
Goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill, wearing the captain's armband, was called into action three minutes later as he dealt with a cross from the left flank with confidence.
An important source of attacking threat for India was fullback Muhammed Rafi with his booming long throws into the penalty area. It almost paid dividends at the first attempt in the 16th minute with Uzbekistan needing a desperate clearance to get rid of the danger.
Uzbekistan created a number of chances but were denied by Gill, who stood tall in goal and repelled whatever was thrown at him.
The Central Asian side's best chance of the first half came in the 19th minute from a corner but Gill was alert to dive low and save the first-time shot. He was called upon yet again with two minutes to go for the break as he turned away a shot from a distance from midfielder Ramozonov Diyor.
After the break, Uzbekistan won a free-kick in a dangerous area in the 52nd minute, with the shot hitting the Indian wall and going out of play. However, just a minute later, Khoshimov Ulugbek opened the scoring for the team in white - converting a low cross from the right.
Gill produced a fine save in the 63rd minute as he pushed away a powerful effort from long range from Rakhimkulov Diyorbek.
However, he could not do much as the Uzbeks scored again - this time through Olimjonov Muzaffar, who scored with a first-time volley from close range as the ball came in from a corner kick.
In their next match, India will take on hosts Saudi Arabia at the same venue on Friday.
Source: IANS
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