Turkmen, Korean women sock it
to Indian soccer teams
Harpal Singh Bedi and C N R Vijaykumar in Bangkok
Despite a gallant late second half resurgence, India went down to Turkmenistan 2-3 in the quarterfinal league match of the men's football competition in the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok today.
Trailing 0-3 till the 83rd minute, the Indians fought back, but it was too late.
The winners led 1-0 at half time.
Just when it looked as if India was heading for a drubbing, skipper I M Vijayan scored a gem of a goal to reduce the margin to 1-3 in the 83rd minute off a pass from Carlton Chapman.
Two minutes later, Bhaichung Bhutia created an opening for Tushar Rakshit who shot home to further close the gap.
Turkmenistan started on an aggressive note in the second session, scoring their second goal in the 49th minute, thanks to a defensive lapse. Midfielder B Roman sent a long-ranger to Ajaev who made no mistake in directing the ball home, leaving the defenders bewildered.
The Indian goal survived a scare two minutes later when defender Dharmesh committed an infringement in the box that resulted in a penalty kick. But goalkeeper Hemanta Dora made a fine diving save to deny Ajaev his second goal. Ajaev shot the ball to the right corner, but Dora anticipated the shot well to block it.
The Turkmen's domination continued, though not on the earlier scale, as the Indians tried to open up the game. Carlton Chapman, Vijayan and Bhutia made some moves, but could not penetrate the rival defence.
As the Indians tried to move up, their defence was breached for the third time in the 70th minute when substitute Kslov Igor headed in a cross from the left, giving Dora no chance.
In the closing stages, the Indians went on the offensive. Midfielder Chapman sent a diagonal cross to Vijayan who, with none to tackle, trapped the ball and put it into the net.
The goal inspired the Indians who scored again. This time it was a one-two between Bhutia and substitute Rakshit, who found the target with a neat placement.
Indian coach Nayeemuddin said his team played an "ultra-defensive" game. "We had not seen Turkmenistan's game earlier," he said, adding, "the defenders played a messy game."
South Korean women thrash rookie Indians
Debutantes India went down without even a whimper in women's football at the Asian Games, losing 7-0 to the formidable South Koreans in their opening Group B encounter in Bangkok today.
Despite finishing seventh in the last Asian Championship, the Indian women were all at sea against the Koreans and had a tough time defending their goal, forget making gainful forays.
Though the first 25 minutes saw no goals, the Koreans struck at will once they got going. Striker Seong Mi Son saw her header off a deflection from Indian custodian B Chintham curl into the net. Before the lemon break the Koreans scored two more goals through Sung Mi Cha to take a three-nil lead.
The Indians failed to put up even a semblance of a fight. And a self-goal in the second half added to their misery. Defender D Rebellow, in an attempt to save a header from Sung Mi Cha, deflected the ball into the net past the hapless goalkeeper.
Earlier, soon after the break, the Koreans scored their fourth goal when Sung headed in a corner.
After that, the Indians kept the Koreans at bay till the 30th minute when the self-goal came.
The sixth goal came from Seong Mi Son who safely put the ball past the onrushing Indian custodian.
The final goal was a brilliant long-ranger unleashed by Mi Yeon Lee.
UNI
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