DSK Shivajians-Liverpool International Football Academy (LIFA) lost to Afghanistan 0-1 in the Under-17 boys' category of the 57th Subroto Cup International Football tournament at the NWC Ground here on Wednesday.
Making their debut in the tournament, DSK-LIFA did well to create many close chances before being done in by a second-half strike by Naved Muhamndi, a statement from the club said.
DSK-LIFA started the proceeding aggressively. In the opening minute a combined move, which began off a clearance by defender Tapas Pal, had Umer Sayed do well to turn inside and find winger Sudipta Malakar.
Moving into space ahead, Sudipta found midfielder H Zawnhming Thanga, who in turn released a defence-splitting pass for Omkar More, who ended up falling short and the ball rolling out for a goal kick.
DSK-LIFA went close in the fifth minute via an effort from Omkar. Sudipta's stiff try went into an Afghani defender resulting in Zawnhming Thanga picking up the deflection and finding Asraf Mondal.
A quick cross that followed had Seigoumang Doungle play the ball over the defence line for an unmarked Omkar whose first timer was saved by the rival custodian.
At the breather, both teams were locked goalless.
Seven minutes after the resumption, DSK-LIFA conceded a goal that resulted off a corner-kick. The delivery into the 6-yard box ended up getting deflected to the opponents' striker just when 'keeper Raja Hela seemed to have collected the ball. As a result, the striker cashed in on the opportunity.
Down by a goal, DSK-LIFA almost equalised as in the 53rd minute, Zawnhming Thanga found Malsawmtlunga inside the box on the right. A deft cross by Malsawmtlunga to the second post created a chance for Umer, who headed on target but found the Afghan goalkeeper save.
--IANS
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