Indian football team let in two goals towards the end to go down 0-2 to Uzbekistan in their opening match of the AFC Under-23 Championship qualifiers at the Bangabandhu Stadium here today.
India had to pay the price of two lapses in the dying moments as Igor Sergeev and Vladimir Kozak found the target in the 87th and 90+2 minutes of the match.
The first lapse was committed by goalkeeper and captain Amrinder Singh who failed to collect a routine gathering off a corner in the 87th minute, the ball popping out of his hands for Sergeev to gleefully head it in.
Then, two minutes into injury time, the Indian defence was caught napping as Uzbekistan captain Kozak put the ball into the Indian net to complete the tally.
India had chances in both the halves, some long rangers, viciously taken corners, all in continuous periods of domination but they failed to make the finishing touches.
"You need to utilize the chances that come your way. Yeah, two mistakes cost us the match. But I am proud of the manner my boys fought," head coach Savio Medeira said at the post-match press conference.
"Uzbekistan are a much better tactical side and there were lapses of concentration on our part. They kept pressing till the end," he added.
National senior team coach Stephen Constantine watched the match from the stands.
India next play Syriya on March 29.
