India go down with last-minute strike

On a day when India climbed up one spot to 142 in the FIFA rankings,Baichung Bhutia & Co went down 2-1 to Hong Kong in an international friendly at the Hong Kong Stadium...

On a day when India climbed up one spot to 142 in the FIFA rankings,Baichung Bhutia & Co went down 2-1 to Hong Kong in an international friendly at the Hong Kong Stadium,with the hosts striking a last-minute winner.

It was Indias first international match since the AFC Challenge Cup final,and one they had never looked like losing. But goalkeeper Subrata Pauls error four minutes into the added-on time allowed Ng Wai Chui to score from six yards. Paul had earlier made some good saves,but faltered at this key moment.

It never looked like we were going to lose the match,but one moment changed everything, said coach Bob Houghton. Still,it was a very useful game and the boys played well. They created lots of chances,though we failed to convert them, he added.

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India started on a promising note and had the edge in the first half. Some excellent moves kept the hosts on the backfoot,but the strikers couldnt convert the chances that came their way.

Hong Kong,however,started to dominate in the second half. The hosts used the flanks to good effect and created space in the Indian defence.

The first goal came in the 70th minute as midfielder Yeung Yiu Chungs 25-yard free-kick caught Paul flat-footed and thudded into the net.

India fought back to make it 1-1 in the 80th minute through skipper Bhutia. Mahesh Gawli sent a cross to Climax Lawrence on the top of the box,who played a dummy to Bhutia,who put it in at the far post.

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It was a balanced match. We came back strongly. Overall,it was decent performance from the boys, Houghton said.