Kolkata: After having lost their previous encounter against Qatar by a 1-0 margin the Indian U-23 side finally had something to cheer about as they beat Turkmenistan 3-1 in their last match of the 2018 AFC Under-23 Championship qualifiers at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Qatar on Sunday.
Turkmenistan got the early lead in the game courtesy a goal from a free kick by Hoshgeldi in the 13th minute which left the Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith with absolutely no chance. But Manvir Singh equalised for the men in blue in the 45th minute before the break.
India’s second goal came in the 72nd minute when Alen Deory gave India the lead after he was introduced into the game, as the ball sneaked away through the keeper’s hands into the net.
India’s lead was further doubled by Jerry Mawihmingthanga in the 75th minute when he netted home a penalty which was awarded to the Indians after a free-kick was deflected off the hand of an opposition’s player.
The Indians enjoyed maximum possession in the game and would be pleased with the way they outplayed Turkmenistan by this margin. But it is indeed late for Stephen Constantine’s men who finished at the bottom of Group C and failed to qualify for the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers.