India Suffers Late Defeat, Losing 1-2 to China in AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers

India Suffers Late Defeat, Losing 1-2 to China in AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers

VoM News Desk | September 10, 2023 | 12:19 AM IST | Breaking News, Sports | Follow on Google News

India Suffers Late Defeat, Losing 1-2 to China in AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. Image/AFP

Late Goal Sinks India in AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers Clash Against China

In a hard-fought encounter at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, India faced a late heartbreak, losing 1-2 to hosts China. The match witnessed a series of dramatic events, with no Indian player managing to score on their own. Instead, China’s Hu Hetao ended up netting an own goal, while Tao Qianglong and Naibijiang Mohemati were the goal scorers that made the difference.

Evenly Matched Battle

Both India and China displayed their prowess with back-and-forth attacks early in the game. Despite their best efforts, the deadlock held firm, and the score remained goalless at halftime. However, the intensity of the game escalated in the second half, with the Chinese side asserting themselves and putting Indian goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill to the test.

Penalty Breaks the Stalemate

In the 68th minute, the deadlock was finally broken when Vibin Mohanan conceded a penalty with a sliding tackle. China’s skipper, Tao Qianglong, confidently converted the penalty to give his team the lead. However, India managed to claw their way back into the game, equalizing in the 92nd minute, thanks to an own goal by China. Narender Gehlot unleashed a smart low drive from a melee, and the ball deflected off China’s Hetao before finding the back of the net.

Late Winner Crushes Indian Hopes

Just as it seemed the match was heading for a draw, Naibijiang Mohemati played the role of the hero for China, striking the winning goal in the 96th minute. This defeat was particularly painful for India, considering their opening match was canceled due to The Maldives’ last-minute withdrawal from the tournament. As a result, Group G now comprises only three teams: India, UAE, and the host nation, China.

Slim Qualification Hopes for India

With this loss, India faces an uphill battle to qualify from the group. China’s victory propelled them to the top of the group with four points, while India has yet to earn a point in the competition. To have any hope of advancing, India must secure a significant victory against the UAE on Tuesday and hope for favorable outcomes in other matches.

The Road to the Finals

In accordance with the event’s format, the group winners and the four best second-placed teams overall will advance to the Finals. It’s a challenging path, and India will need to summon their best performance to keep their hopes alive.

Hosts Qatar Await in the Finals

Hosts Qatar have already secured automatic qualification for the Finals, scheduled to take place from April 15 to May 3 next year. As the competition unfolds, football enthusiasts eagerly await more thrilling clashes and nail-biting moments on the road to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Finals.

VoM News Desk

VoM News is an online web portal in jammu Kashmir offers regional, National & global news.