India loses against Qatar in Olympics Qualifiers

The Indian team shocked a technically superior Qatar as they took an early goal in the first half of the game. But eventually Qatar outplayed India by 1-3 in second round of qualifying football match for the 2012 Olympics.

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Jeje Lalpekhlua, striker for India gave India the first lead in the seventh minute and Al Khanfan equalized in the 14th minute for Qatar. The two sides then went into the breather 1-1. Indian team was playing up to the mark for the first half maintaining the 1-1 score, but in the second half they completely lost the rhythm and ended up conceding 2 goals.

Qatar captain Hasan Al Haydos made the second goal for Qatar in the 54th minute and then substitute Mohammed Elneel scored in the 68th minute to get 3 goals on the board.  It will be a difficult task for India to advance further in the qualifying round and now they will have to defeat Qatar by 2-0 or even better.

Desmont Bulpin saved a goal when the Indian goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani denied Qatari captain Al Haydos from the spot, 11 minutes in the clock. The woodwork came handy twice towards the end in the second session. Indian captain Raju Gaikwad, threw his characteristic long throw from the left flank and striker Jeje tapped the ball as Qatar defence was caught just gaping. And exactly four minutes later, a penalty shot was saved by Kattimani as Qatari Hatem brought inside the Indian box and from here, Qatari Captain attempted a poor shot. Three minutes later, Qatar’s Al Khalfan, received a wonderful defence-splitting pass from Al Haydos, sidestepped an advancing Indian goalkeeper Kattimani and reeled the ball in its nest.

After this equalizer, India was forced to continue to defend for the rest of the game. The first half they were able to keep the Qatari at bay, they floundered in the second half. In the second half Qatar dominated over the Indians even more with a host of chances.

In the second half  Qatari captain Haydos made amends for the penalty  he missed by scoring in the 54th minute with a powerful right-footer from 30 yards that was secured into the left corner of the goal past a diving India custodian Kattimani. The repeated attacks from Qatar resulted in the third goal for Qatar as Elneel tapped in from close range.

The introduction of Zakeer Mundampara in place of Shilton D’Silva did not really make an impact as India struggled to get hold of the ball. Striker Jeje and his strike partner C S Sabeeth were not supported enough by Lalrindika Ralte and Jewel Raja. As a result the couple of chances that they had went unutilised.

Tags: Doha, Football, Football India, India, Indian Football, Olympic Qualifiers, Qatar, Soccer