India go down fighting to UAE

Virender Singh guarded his post well with at least three beatiful saves to frustrate the homeside but two crucial miscalculations from him later on in the match cost India dearly.

Kas, who is known for his skills in the air, scored again as he headed a lob which eluded the Indian keeper once again as he rushed out in the 85th minute.

The third UAE goal came from a penalty awarded after Mohammed Ibrahim was pulled down by KV Dhanesh on the edge of the box. Abdul Salam Juma easily converted the spotkick.

The margin could have been higher had UAE capitalised the opportunities that came their way. Juma, who had come in place of Hassan Saaed, had a heave at the goal in the 73rd minute but the shot flew over the crossbar.

Earlier, they had come close to increasing their tally when Adelmattar’s header hit the post and went out while another good try from Gharib Harib also went astray.

Uzbekistan dominated throughout in the match in which midfielders Mirdzalal Kasimov and Otabek Pirmatov excelled. But the outstanding performance came from Shatskikh who scored in the 52nd and 75th minutes.

Kasimov (38th), Primatov (38th), Fevzi Davletov (46th) and Abdikohor Marifaliey (86th minute) scored the other goals.
Teams (India):Virendra Singh, IM Vijayan, KV Dhanesh, R Fernandes, Debashish Mandal, D Singh, J Alberto, Basudeb Mondal, R Singh, Bijen Singh, Jo Paul Ancheri; (UAE):

M Abdulla, H Saed, G Harib, A R Juma, F Ali, M Omar, S Alkas, B Saeed, a Eissa, A S Jumaa, M Ali.