India under-16 hope of qualifying for the under-16 championship, were dashed on Saturday as they lost 0-2 to Oman in their Group D match at Al Qatara stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Luck didn’t favor India as despite getting chances early on they failed to take the lead. Though the match was an evenly contested battle but it was Oman who emerged victorious as they found the back of the net in 55th and 59th minute with striker Khalid Khalifa Salim Al Hajri scoring on both the occasions.
India started the game on an attacking note and had chances to score early on. Shankar free kick in the 16th minute had Oman custodian Ahmed Faraj Abdulla making a diving save. Two minutes later India early missed the chance of taking the lead as Shankar’s header rebounded off the bar and Oman defenders cleared it.
India kept on attacking at the Oman net and in the 22nd minute Jaybrata Dhar’s powerful shot sailed over the bar.
Just near the half hour mark Amoes too had his chance but his shot also was off target. India kept on missing the chances that came their way as the match entered into the lemon break without a goal being scored.
The start of the second half was no different as India had better ball possession but things were not meant to move India’s way. Three minutes into the second half and Jaybrata was left unmarked inside the box but he shot once again over the bar.
Oman on the other hand utilized the opportunity that came their way as they took the lead in the 55th minute. Khamis Abdul free kick from the left flank had Khalid heading it past Indian custodian Albino Gomes.
They extended the lead four minutes later through Khalid as this time he headed the ball off a corner kick.
With 2-0 down India tried hard to reduce the deficit but Faraj Abdullah stood tall as he saved two powerful shot from Dhillipan towards the end of the game. India now plays hosts UAE on Tuesday.
Source: AIFF
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Saturday 10 October 2009, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.