Indian U-23 men's football team started the Asian Games on a disappointing note as it went down 0-5 to United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the opening Group G match at the Hwaseong Sports Complex Main Stadium here Monday.
It was a dominating performance by the UAE, who opened up a 3-0 lead in the first 20 minutes and held on to it till the break. UAE skipper Saeed Alkatheeri notched up a hat-trick, including two headers, while Al Ahbabi scored a brace to complete the rout. India next play Jordan Sep 22.
The Indian side lacked vision on the field. There wasn't much understanding while defending nor while attacking. The series of mispasses, the ineffectiveness on the wings and the sluggish midfield losing almost every battle for the ball made matters tough as a ruthless UAE took control.
All the goals were conceded from counter attacks with the India back four of Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhinghan, Joyner Lourenco and Narayan Das lacking cohesion.
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It all started in the 14th minute when Alkatheeri stooped low to his left and tucked in a cross from the right. Two minutes on, the captain was at it again, this time diving acrobatically to meet a cross from the same area.
It was 3-0 by the 20th minute when Al Ahbabi converted from close.
Stung, India tried to fight back. Sunil Chettri had a penalty appeal turned down after he was hacked down inside the area, while right back Pritam tried his luck from 35 yards with a stinging effort, but the keeper somehow clung on to it.
Changing over, any slim hope of a daunting comeback went up in smoke when four minutes into the hour mark when UAE struck their fourth goal. Alkatheeri slid in to guide the ball in between Amrinder's legs after a good pass from the right channel once again found him at the right place.
Coach Wim Koevermans ringed in a change in the hope of some pride to be salvaged with Shillong Lajong's Seminlen Doungel replacing ineffective Dempo man Mandar Rao Desai in the 72nd minute. The former East Bengal forward almost made an immediate impact with an angular effort that flew inches over the frame.
Sunil followed him on moments later getting on the end of a delectable ball from the defence. But uncharacteristically his shot was meek giving the advancing keeper no problems whatsoever.
The UAE notched their fifth in the dying minutes of the one sided tie, this time Al Ahbabi riding luck to his double when his tamely drilled attempt past Amrinder was helped on its way by Sandesh on the goalline.