Putting up a spirited performance, the Indian under-16 football team rallied to hold Tajikistan to a 1-1 draw in its opening match of the AFC Qualifiers at the Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium here.
Prosenjit Chakraborty converted from the spot in the 56th minute after Saidov Karomatullo had put Tajikistan in the lead in the 36th minute.
Represented by All India Football Federation's Regional Academy boys, the Indian colts took some time to settle down.
Analysing the performance, head coach Goutam Ghosh said, "Our boys can play better. We played very well in the second half and created a lot of opportunities from which we could score. But this was our first match and we will try to rectify on our mistakes."
It was the first match of the AFC Championship and the first International match for the Indians but they were not overawed by the occasion.
Post the Tajikistan goal which was pushed in by Saidov off a melee following a corner, it was all India in the remaining part of the first half and the first 25 minutes of the second half.
But Tajikistan managed to hold on as rival Goalkeeper Khayriev Behruz's reflexes came in the way of an India win.
The turnaround started from the 37th minute. India's sudden burst unsettled the sturdy Tajik boys, who till the 36th minute looked more in control than the Indians.
In the 44th minute, Anirudh Thapa's touch off a Jerry Lalrinzuala free-kick hit the post and went wide. A series of corners followed but the ball wasn't just destined to go in. It was the right impetus which India needed prior to the interval.
And when they took the field in the second half, the colts began with a bang. Krishna Pandit replaced Kapil Hoble and in the very first minute, Muchahary's shot was saved by a diving Khayriev.
