Incheon: India Under-23 men’s campaign in Asian Games football ended Monday as they went down 0-2 to a superior Jordan side in the final Group G encounter here at the Munhak Stadium.
India earlier lost their opening encounter to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 0-5. Jordan, who fielded their U-21 side in the competition, rode on goals from Albashtawi Subhi Drzi and Thalji Yousuf to seal the issue.
India, two-time Asian Games gold medallists, looked grittier in the initial exchanges. Seminlen Doungel — starting in place of Mandar Rao Desai — cantered some 40 yards down the left channel but his last touch let him down with the ball rolling out for a goal-kick. East Bengal’s Lalrindika Ralte was the other change ringed in by coach Wim Koevermans from the last game against UAE.
Jordan goalkeeper Abu Nabhan made a hash of Robin Singh’s teasing effort from just outside the box moments later, somehow latching on to the ball at the end. The intent was clear from India who had nothing to lose.
Robin then forced the keeper to another save before Jordan took the lead. Jordan took the lead as striker Albashtawi smashed home on the rebound after India custodian Amrinder Singh showed superb reflexes to parry away Israiwah’s initial effort from distance.
India’s best chance of the half came from skipper Sunil Chhetri’s shot that almost kissed the post on its way out. Jordan closed the half better and their noses ahead.
The second half started on a similar note but there were very few goalmouth moments until Robin powered a shot from 25 yards but goalkeeper got enough behind it to keep him at bay. Moments later, the red shirts doubled their lead. A cutback from the right found Thalji at the far post and he took two touches to first turn Pritam Kotal inside out and then smash the ball past Amrinder at his near post.
Meanwhile, India’s hockey eves started their campaign with a 3-0 win over Thailand at Soenhak Hockey Stadium. Poonam Rani, Vandana Katariya and vice-captain Deepika converted a penalty corner each to ensure a winning start to India’s campaign.
Opening the first half with great attack coming in from both the ends, the score board saw 0-0 until the 14th minute when India secured a penalty corner opportunity and Poonam made no mistake in converting it and opening the account for India.
The second half saw both the teams concentrating on defence and neither of the two could sneak in a goal. It came later in the third quarter, when India earned another penalty corner in the 39th minute and Vandana’s fierce shot hit the goalpost, taking India scoreline to 2-0.
In the final quarter it was Deepika, who sneaked in the last penalty corner in the 53rd minute of the match to seal the game with a 3-0 win. India next play China Wednesday.
Squash star Dipika Pallikal lost her semi-final women’s singles match to World No. 1 Nicol David of Malaysia and settled for the bronze medal in the 17th Asian Games at the Yeorumul Squash Courts. Dipika, World No. 12, went down 11-4, 11-4 and 11-5 to the Malaysian in the match that lasted 25 minutes.
