Sidoarjo (Indonesia), Jan 24 (Representative) The India U20 men’s team lost 1-6 to Syria in the first match ofthe Mandiri U20 Challenge Series at the Gelora Delta Stadium here on Friday. Hosts Indonesia and Jordan, who will meet later on Friday, are the other teams in the four-nation friendly tournament. India will face Jordan in their second match on January 27. Lining up with nine under-17 players, India struggled to match the speed and physicality of the more experienced Syrian side, who had 2005-born players on the pitch and are preparing for the AFC U20 Asian Cup at full swing. For Biby Thomas’ side, Manbhakupar Malngiang scored the lone consolation goal in the 64th minute, a well-crafted goal that the Blue Colts can take heart from. Anas Hussam Dahhan opened the scoring in the fourth minute by drilling a right-footed shot into the bottom corner. Majd Manaf Ramadan made it two in the 15th minute as he twisted and turned in the box before unleashing a fierce strike straight into the top corner.India created a few half chances of their own, mainly from set pieces.
The first of those came in the 19th minute when Ahongshangbam Samson headed Md Arbash’s free-kick on target but it was blocked by the Syrian defence. Indian centre-back Mukul Panwar then saw two of his headers go wide from two free-kick deliveries by Arbash and Levis Zangminlun.Syria then added two more goals in the latter stages of the first half. In the 37th minute, Hassan Abdulaziz Al Mahmoud slotted in a cutback from the left by Mahmoud Hasan Al Omar. Then at the stroke of half-time, Syria made it 4-0 on the counter as Homam Mahmoud raced towards goal before laying the ball for Dahhan, who passed it into the net from two yards out. The West Asians started the second half in blistering fashion again, with Homam Mahmoud beating goalkeeper Aheibam Suraj Singh from eight yards out in the 48th minute before getting another inthe 62nd with a powerful strike onto the roof of the net.Two minutes later, India’s only goal of the match arrived via the right boot of Manbhakupar Malngiang as a result of a combined effort from the front three.
It all started near the left touchline as Samson released striker Bharat Lairenjam, who had drifted wide towards the flank. He meticulously hooked a ball across the face of the goal for Malngiang, who side footed a first-time shot into the net to ensure India didn’t come out empty-handed. There could’ve been another a few minutes later when substitute Laishram Danny Meitei’s curling free-kick was headed towards the far post by Bharat but Amr Mohamad Tahseen Sweidan dishedout a solid save at full stretch to deny the India striker.India U20: Aheibam Suraj Singh (GK), Mukul Panwar, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum (C), Ngamgouhou Mate, Md Arbash (Afinmon Baiju 46′), Bharaj Lairenjam (Mohd Zulkif 90+1′), Manbhakupar Malngiang (Jajo Prashan 86′), Levis Zangminlun (Danny Meitei Laishram 65′), Ahongshangbam Samson (Lemmet Tangvah 65′), Yaipharemba Chingakham.