Indian U-19 team lose to Palestine in AFC qualifiers

The Indian U-19 football team went down fighting 0-1 against hosts Palestine in their opening match of the AFC qualifiers at the Faisal Al-Hussieni Stadium here.
A Mohammed Yousef goal in the 15th minute proved to be the difference between the two sides and led Palestine to garner their first win of the qualifying campaign.
Speaking in the official post match press conference, Head Coach of the Indian side Lee Johnson said, "We lost the match because we gave Palestine too much respect in the opening minutes of the first half and that is when they punished us.
"We were the better Team in the second half and I am proud of the Players as they showed great character to get back in the game."

"However in Football goals win you games it is as simple as that," Lee added.
Meanwhile, Head Coach of the host nation, Ayman Sandouka praised the charismatic never-say-die attitude of the Indian players and said, "India were very hard to break down. They were making it very difficult for us to keep possession and play our game."

On a relatively cool night, the Indian colts showcased defensive solidity as they thwarted their Palestinian opponents with composure and organisation for most of the match.
However a moment of complacency allowed the Palestinians to take the decisive lead against the run of play when Yousef slotted home his chance, past a diving Shivaji Patil.

Not the be deterred, the Indian colts jotted down their attacking opportunities with sheer finesse and in the 22nd minute, Daniel's shot was saved by the Palestinian custodian after a tacky one-touch play around the 18 yard box.
With the 12th man - the fans - inhibiting an intimidating and electrifying atmosphere through chants of their own, the Palestinian opponents started to conduct raids on the Indian citadel, but to no avail.
Nishu Kumar's radar disrupted as many as two Palestinian attacks, while safeguarding the Indian defence. Both Teams cancelled each other out, as they entwined in a raging battle for midfield and at half-time the Indian colts trailed by a solitary goal against Palestine.

Changing over and the Indian contingent were straight out of their blocks as they adopted an attacking stance. A glitzy move in the 48th minute which saw Daniel onto goal was sweeped away by the Palestinian custodian.
In an attempt to churn points, the Indian colts attacked all-out, but to no avail. And at the end of full-time the score-line read 1-0 in favour of Palestine.