India went down to DPR Korea 3-0 in their last group league match played at the Sughatadasa Stadium, Colombo here on Sunday.
This was India’s third straight defeat in the AFC Challenge Cup as they drew blank from three matches.
India were certainly defeated by a better opponents as the world cuppers made their way in into the last four emerging the table leaders from group B with seven points from three matches.
India did manage to match up the superior side in the AFC Challenge cup for most part of the first half but failed to curtail the Korean heavyweights as they went ahead in the match in the 36th minute when Ryang Yong Gi found the back of the net from the top of the 18 yard box.
Earlier, India started off very well and initiated good moves but failed to break the deadlock as DPR Korea went for the breather with a 1-0 precarious lead.
The Korean then added two more goals in the second half to take the match away from the India’s hands.
Choe Chol Man doubled the Korea’s lead in the 57th minute , while midfielder Ryang Yong Gi completed his brace in the 72nd minute heading Pak Young Jin’s cross to register an impressive victory.
Starting XI :29-Karanjit Singh, 3-Nirmal Chetri,8-Th Noaba Singh, ,18-Denzil Franco, 11-Joaquim Abranches,12- Jeje Lalpekhlua ,13-Jibon Singh,23-Jewel Raja Shaikh, 30- Baljit Singh,31-Gurwinder Singh, 10-Sushil Kumar Singh(Capt)
Substitutes:4- Rowlison Rodgrigues,5- Ravinder Singh,9 Balwant Singh,14- DRavannan ,16-Jagtar Singh,17-Robert Lalthlamuana ,19-Lalrindika Ralte, 21-Laxmikant Kattimani,22- GurpreetSingh.
Source: AIFF
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Sunday 21 February 2010, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.