Recovering from lackluster show of the first half, Tajikistan scored both the goals in between six minutes of the second half. Khamrakulov Akhtam and Davronov Nuriddin achieved the target for Tajikistan in the 61st and 66th minutes respectively. [break]
Akhtam directed the ball toward net from close range to open the score as Indian defenders failed to clear Tokhirov Farkhod cross from the left corner and Fatkhulove Fatkhullo set it to Akhtam.
Tajikistan players celebrate goal.
Tajikistan doubled the tally when Nuriddin made a perfect low ball strike from the edge to left corner of the post.
Earlier India dominated the field of play and piled up consistence pressure during the entire first half while Tajikistan seemed busy resisting Indian attacks. India created as many as four beautiful scoring chances but failed to utilize them. But second half was just the opposite.
"We could not play well during the initial half hour. I have not seen India´s game before this match," said Kemal Alispahic adding, "We changed the strategy in the second half. The boys followed instructions in the field and we achieved goal."
Tajikistan vs India
Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri missed scoring chance in the 16th minute as he shot wide from the area. A minute later, Rocus Lamare´s powerful strike from edge was dived and saved by Tajikistan custodian Tuychiev Alisher. In the 19th minute, Sunil Chhetri had set a brilliant pass to Lamera but Indian team failed to utilize it as Lamera fired above the bar from short distance with only goalie as the obstacle.
Four minutes before the interval, goalie Alisher made a tactful decision leaving his position and sprinting about 40-yard to clear a through pass of Anthony Pereira to skipper Chhetri. Tajik half was attended by none of its player and Chhetri was chasing the ball.
Tajikistan vs India
Tajikistan controlled the second and made some brilliant moves while India could not create a single scoring chance. In the 53rd minute Tokhirov Farkhod fired above arch from bar. In the 65th minute, Indian´s Samir Naik defended Akhtam goal bound shot from the goal-line after diving custodian Karanjit Singh was beaten. Goalie Singh denied Vasiev Dilshod strike three minutes from time.
Indian coach Savio Medeira blamed laps in midfield for his team´s poor show in the midfield. "If midfielders cannot function properly forwards cannot score and there was big gap in the midfield," Medeira said adding, "Now we should give cent percent in our next two matches. India will play against Philippines on Sunday and North Korea on Tuesday in its group stage matches.
North Korea beats Philippines
DPR Korea registered a 2-0 victory over the Philippines on Friday in the Group B league round match of the AFC Challenge Cup at APF Headquarters, Halchowk.
Pak Nam Chol and Jang Kuk Chol scored a goal each for Korea in the second half of the game.
North Korea Coach Yun Jong Su said that he was satisfied with the performance of the players and happy to win three points from the match. “Both the teams played aggressive football and Philippines gave us a tough fight.”
North Korea vs Philippines
Korea had dominated the game from the kickoff but was unable to score goal against the tight defense of the Philippines. In the 16th minute of the game, Korea received a penalty after Misagh Bahadoran fouled Jang Myong Il inside the box.
Pak Song Chol stepped for the spot kick and scored a goal but the referee disallowed it as a Philippines player had stepped inside the box. Philippines´ goalie Neil Leonard Etheridge then saved the spot kick in the second attempt. Jang Myong Il´s powerful strike from the six-yard box sailed above the bar.
With the start of second half, Korea was attacking the Philippines post in regular interval. Pak Nam Chol gave the lead to Korea with a header in the 58th minute utilizing a cross off Pak Song Chol. Substitute Jang Kuk Chol doubled the lead for Korea as he scored in the 70th minute in an open post as the keeper had come forward to gather the ball off Pak Nam Chol.
North Korea vs Philippines
The Philippines coach Hans Michael Weiss said that the team had planned to play defensive game but could not continue it till the last minute. “Our target was to hold Korea for a draw. The referee´s decision during the match was not good,” said the coach, adding, “Korea is a strong team and they played well against us.”
Saturday´s matches
Palestine Vs Turkmenistan
Venue: Halchowk ground @ 15:00 NST
Nepal Vs Maldives
Venue: Dasharath Stadium @ 17:00 NST
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