INDIA U-23

India beat Kyrgyzstan to finish second in Group E of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers

India will lock horns with Kyrgyz Republic in a do-or-die last league match of the AFC U-23 Asia Cup qualifiers on Sunday, hoping to qualify for the tournament proper of the continental youth championship.India will not only have to win their match but also hope that result of the other game in Group E too goes in their favour.The Indians beat Oman 2-1 but lost to the hosts UAE in their previous matches. The Indian football team played out a 0-0 draw against Kyrgyzstan in their third and final match of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers at the Fujairah Stadium, UAE, on Saturday. The result meant both India and Kyrgyzstan finished tied behind UAE on points, head-to-head and goal difference, in Group E.

“We are treating the match against Kyrgyz Republic as any other game,” head coach Igor Stimac said prior to the crucial game.India has three points from two matches, and a win against the Kyrgyz Republic will brighten their chances of qualifying for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, scheduled to be held next year in Uzbekistan.”The boys need to try staying concentrated and disciplined, always respectful to the opponent, but without any fear,” the head coach added. However, since a second-placed team needed to be established for the sake of the qualification process, a penalty shootout took place to determine the second and third positions. India won the shootout 4-2 to clinch the second spot in Group E and kept their hopes of qualifying for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2022 alive.

Both India and Kyrgyzstan, in similar situations in their group and chasing a win, showed plenty of attacking intent in the first half.While India’s front three of Rahul KP, Rahim Ali and Vikram Pratap Singh kept the Kyrgyz defence on its toes, the White Falcons created their own share of chances via Borubaev Gulzhigit and Al Ygulov Maksat.
Kyrgyzstan arguably had the better chances to sneak into the lead but with Indian goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh standing tall, the two teams were deadlocked at 0-0 going into half-time. The second half saw similar attacking football as the first, with both Dheeraj and Kyrgyz custodian Tokotaev Erzhan needing to intervene on several occasions to keep their respective teams from falling behind.Rahul KP was unlucky not to give India the lead in the 73rd minute as his powerful drive from distance had Tokotaev beat, but hit the woodwork.The match eventually ended 0-0, ensuring both teams were equal in every aspect in their group. The stalemate forced an unconventional situation where a penalty shootout was needed to determine the second-placed side.

“Very proud of how our boys played today. India deservedly got second place in the group. This was the biggest surprise here in UAE. With a result like this, we still hope to qualify for the (U-23) Asian Cup,” India head coach Igor Stimac said after the match.