India U-17 men’s football team suffered a 1-3 defeat to Qatar in the first of the two friendly matches at the Aspire Academy in Doha.

In the first of two friendly matches, the U-17 Men’s National football team of India suffered a 1-3 loss against Qatar at Doha’s Aspire Academy in Qatar, on Saturday 25th of February, 2023. An early 1-0 lead to Qatar came from Ethan Dephina who scored the very first goal but then Shashwat Panwar equalized it with his goal for Team India.

Initially an even contest

It was an even contest for the first hour of the match, with Ethan Dephina putting Qatar into an early lead, and Shashwat Panwar pulling one back for India on Saturday.

Second half came with the lead

Later on the hosts took the lead again in the second half through Khalid Alshaaibi, before Mohammed Elsiddig scored in the dying minutes.
Qatar started off on the front foot and immediately got the lead in the fifth minute, when Dekhayel Al-Hamad’s cross was saved by India keeperSahil, but Dephina got on the rebound and scored.

India got a series of set-pieces around the quarter hour mark, with Mukul and Vanlalpeka Guite getting the best chances, but both sent their efforts wide.

Shashwat-Danny equalizer

It was on the half-hour mark that the Blue Colts found the back of the net through Shashwat, who nodded in a corner taken by Danny Meetei to draw India level.

Second half began on a more cautious note

As the two sides headed into the break on level terms, the second half began on a more cautious note from both ends. Vanlalpeka Guite had an effort collected by the opposition keeper, before Sahil made a couple of saves to keep India in the game.

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However, Khalid Alshaaibi put Qatar into the lead on the 61st when he got his head onto the end of a cross by Tashin Jamshid.

Mohammed Elsiddig made the difference

While India surged ahead, looking for the equaliser, Qatar scored another goal to increase the margin of victory. Mohammed Elsiddig had his shot blocked a couple of times, but managed to get onto the rebound and score from it.

(Source PTI)