India U-17 lost 3-1 in Qatar friendly match

India The U-17 men’s national team suffered a 1-3 defeat at the hands of their Qatari counterparts in the first of two friendly matches at the Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar on Saturday.

It was an even contest for the first hour of the match, with Ethan Defina giving Qatar an early lead, and Shashwat Panwar pulling one back for India. However, Qatar took the lead in the second half through Khaled Alshaabi, before Mohamed Elsedig scored in the dying minutes.

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Qatar started on the front foot and took an instant lead in the 5th minute when Dekhyel Al-Hamad’s cross was saved by India’s keeper Sahil, but Defina volleyed home the rebound.

India found a series of set-pieces around the quarter-hour, with Mukul and Vanlalpeka Guite getting their best chances, but both finding their efforts wide.

It was on the half-hour mark that the Blue Colts found the back of the net through Shashwat, who nodded in a corner by Danny Meati to draw India level.

As both sides headed to the break on level terms, the second half began on a more cautious note from both the ends. Vanlalpeka Guite had his effort collected by the opposition keeper before Sahil made some saves to keep India in the game.

However, Khalid Alshaabi gave his side the lead in the 61st game when he headed in on the end of Tasheen Jamshed’s cross.

While India went ahead in search of an equaliser, Qatar hunted one in the end to ensure victory in the match. Mohamed Elsedig had his shot blocked several times but managed to get on the rebound, before finally turning it in.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)