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AFC Challenge Cup: India U-23 Coach Sukhwinder Singh Pleased Despite Second Defeat
India U-23 can not retain the AFC Challenge Cup after losing their second game in a row...
19-Feb-2010 11:03:00 PM
Goal.com India
Even though they're now out of the running for a semi final berth, India U-23 coach Sukhwinder Singh was pleased with his lads' performance in the game against Turkmenistan, which was lost 1-0.
Speaking after the game, Singh said, "It was a good match and the better team won the game. However, my boys played very well in the first half.
"They are all young boys. They gave their best and matched Turkmenistan. It was an improved performance from the first game against Kyrgyzstan. We had some chances, but the penalty in the first half changed everything."
The first half was pretty much even in terms of chances and possession, but a clumsy challenge inside the box by Debabrata Roy, who was playing his first match of the tournament, saw Turkmenistan take the lead from the spot. Roy then picked up his second yellow card in the 77th minute, which killed India's hopes.
Singh admitted that the sending off sealed his team's fate, and said, "And then when we had a player sent off towards the end of the game, it stopped us from making an attacking change. Instead, we had to use it for defending."
Singh's opposite number, Turkmenistan coach Yazguly Hojageldiyev was buoyant after a result that sees them needing only a draw against Kyrgyzstan to seal their passage into the semis.
"I am very proud of my team, they did their best and played very well. We missed many chances but we were crucially able to win by one goal."
On the crucial upcoming game against Kyrgystan, Hojageldiyev said, "We must play our game and take care of our result. This is our goal and this is what we are concentrating on. I am confident we will be fully prepared for the last group game, and we want to win."
Both the final Group B games take place simultaneously on 21st February, as India play DPR Korea in the secon game. Do follow live score updates on Goal.com India.
Speaking after the game, Singh said, "It was a good match and the better team won the game. However, my boys played very well in the first half.
"They are all young boys. They gave their best and matched Turkmenistan. It was an improved performance from the first game against Kyrgyzstan. We had some chances, but the penalty in the first half changed everything."
The first half was pretty much even in terms of chances and possession, but a clumsy challenge inside the box by Debabrata Roy, who was playing his first match of the tournament, saw Turkmenistan take the lead from the spot. Roy then picked up his second yellow card in the 77th minute, which killed India's hopes.
Singh admitted that the sending off sealed his team's fate, and said, "And then when we had a player sent off towards the end of the game, it stopped us from making an attacking change. Instead, we had to use it for defending."
Singh's opposite number, Turkmenistan coach Yazguly Hojageldiyev was buoyant after a result that sees them needing only a draw against Kyrgyzstan to seal their passage into the semis.
"I am very proud of my team, they did their best and played very well. We missed many chances but we were crucially able to win by one goal."
On the crucial upcoming game against Kyrgystan, Hojageldiyev said, "We must play our game and take care of our result. This is our goal and this is what we are concentrating on. I am confident we will be fully prepared for the last group game, and we want to win."
Both the final Group B games take place simultaneously on 21st February, as India play DPR Korea in the secon game. Do follow live score updates on Goal.com India.
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