India conceded two goals in the last four minutes to go down 0-2 against Uzbekistan in the Asian Football Confederation Under-23 Championship at the Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka here on Friday.
Two lapses, first in the 87th minute and then in the 92nd minute, nullified India's strong resistance against a far superior opponent, ranked 72nd in the FIFA rankings. India are currently at the 173rd spot.
Goalkeeper Amrinder Singh failed to collect a routine gathering off a corner to facilitate the first goal, the ball popping out of his hands for midfielder Igor Sergeevto to gleefully head it in.
Then another defensive mistake led to India conceding the second goal, scored by midfielder Vladimir Kozak.
In between, there were chances for India in both the halves, some long rangers, viciously-taken corners but it didn't materialise into a goal.
"You need to utilise the chances that come your way. Yeah, two mistakes cost us the match. But I am proud of the manner my boys fought," India's coach Savio Medeira said at the post-match press conference on Friday.
The Indians settled down better as the game progressed. Uzbek goalkeeper Akmal Tursunbaev stayed busy in the first half, thwarting India's attack. Striker Holicharan Narzary's speed and ability to hold on troubled the Uzbeks. He had possibly the best chance in the first half when he cut into the box but his shot deflected for a corner.
India's dominance continued even after the break but their efforts bore no fruit. And they were stung by the two late goals at the fag end of the match.
"Uzbekistan are a much better tactical side and there were lapses of concentration on our part. They kept pressing till the end," Medeira said.
India: Amrinder Singh (captain), Pritam Kotal, Bikramjit Singh, Shankar Sampingraj, Deepak, Germanpreet Singh, Vinit Rai (Manish Bhargava - 79th), Siam Hangal, Avinash Rui Das, Jayesh Rane, Holicharan Narzary (Thongkhosiem Haokip - 85th).
