JOIN USLacklustre India bow to UAE in opener
The Indian Under-23 men’s football team started the Asian Games on a disappointing note as they went down 0-5 to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the opening Group G match at the Hwaseong Sports Complex Main Stadium here on Monday.
It was a dominating performance by the UAE, who opened up a 3-0 lead in the first 20 minutes and held on to it till the break. UAE skipper Saeed Alkatheeri notched up a hat-trick, including two headers, while Al Ahbabi scored a brace to complete the rout. India next play Jordan Sept 22.
India just couldn’t find their rhythm. There wasn’t much understanding while defending nor while attacking. A series of mispasses dotted their play as a ruthless UAE took control.
All the goals came from counter-attacks with the India back four of Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhinghan, Joyner Lourenco and Narayan Das lacking cohesion.
It all started in the 14th minute when Alkatheeri stooped low to his left and tucked in a cross from the right. Two minutes on, the captain was at it again, this time diving acrobatically to meet a cross from the same area.
It was 3-0 by the 20th minute when Al Ahbabi converted from close.
Stung, India tried to fight back. Sunil Chettri had a penalty appeal turned down after he was hacked down inside the area, while right back Pritam tried his luck from 35 yards with a stinging effort, but the keeper somehow clung on to it.
Changing over, any slim hope of an Indian comeback went up in smoke when four minutes into the hour mark when UAE struck their fourth goal. Alkatheeri slid in to guide the ball in between Amrinder’s legs after a good pass from the right channel once again found him at the right place.
UAE notched their fifth goal in the dying minutes of the one-sided tie, this time Al Ahbabi riding his luck to his double when a tame shot past Amrinder was helped on its way by Sandesh on the goalline.
North Korea sparkle
North Korea dismantled China 3-0 as they got off to a rousing start, cheered on by fans waving the Korean Unification Flag. Goals from Sim Hyon-Jin, So Kyong-Jin and Ri Hyok-Chol gave North Korea's men an easy win.
The North Koreans were frequently allowed to run at China and they went ahead in the 10th minute at Incheon Football Stadium when Sim arrowed a shot past goalkeeper Fang Jingqi. So Hyon-Uk's close-range shot deflected off Fang and on to the crossbar, and Sim ran into the box but fired over as North Korea enjoyed a commanding first half.
So Kyong-Jin doubled their advantage on 57 minutes when, receiving the ball on the edge of the box, he had time and space to pick his spot.
North Korea made it three when Ri was played in with a neat ball through the defence — and with Fang exposed, he gobbled up the chance.
Later, Japan's all-conquering "Nadeshiko" got off to a slow start in the women's competition when they were held to a 0-0 by three-time winners China.
Among other results, Vietnam's men swamped Iran 4-1 and Ferdinand Sinaga hit four as Indonesia ran riot in a 7-0 rout of tiny East Timor.