2012 AFC Challenge Cup: India lose, out of tournament

India suffered a 0-2 loss against the Philippines in their second Group B match at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu and are out of the tournament with still a match against North Korea to play. Former Chelsea FC Youth player Philip Younghusband scored both the goals for the Azkals on either side of the break.

India coach Savio Medeira made two changes to his starting eleven with Reisangmi Vashum coming in for Anthony Pereira on the right-wing, while Joaquim Abranches started for Sushil Kumar Singh upfront. One hoped for a better performance from the Bhangra Boys.

India had the first chance of the match with Reisangmi Vashum shooting over, but then Philip Younghusband gave the Philippines the 10th minute lead after his shot beat the Indian defence and goalkeeper Karanjit Singh. Thereafter India had more of the ball, but simply wasn't dangerous in attack with Joaquim Abranches only once shooting the ball goalwards.

After the break the Philippines remained the more dangerous side and the result was the 2-0 in the 74th minute once more through Philip Younghusband, who scored off a pass from his brother James. India only had once good chance thereafter as Sushil Singh found Sunil Chhetri, but the captain blasted over.

India are out of the competition with the match against defending champions North Korea on Tuesday, March 13 remaining. Thereafter Team India needs to introspect and ask itself why it hasn't worked in Kathmandu.


MATCH STATS

Philippines 2-0 (1-0) India - Goals: 1-0,2-0 Philip Younghusband (10',74')

PHILIPPINES
1-Neil Etheridge; 14-Carlos Carlie Alberto Olaivar Martinez De Murga, 42-Jason Abbott Abantao Sabio, 2-Robert James Dazo Gier, 27-Ray Anthony Pepito Jónsson; 7-James Joseph Placer Younghusband [C], 22-Paul Mulders, 5-Juan Luis Guirado Aldeguer, 12-Ángel Aldeguer Guirado; 10-Philip James Placer Younghusband, 13-Emelio Asada Caligdong
Substitutes: 41-Eduard Sacapaño, 44-Jose Paolo Aragon Pascual, 2-Robert James Dazo Gier, 6-Roel Rowena Gener, 17-Jason Nicolas Maria Dantes de Jong, 19-Nestorio Margarse, 24-Marwin Janver Malinay Angeles, 29-Lexton de la Cruz Moy, 35-Dennis Mengoy Cagara, 36-Bongbong Roxy Dorlas, 37-Angelo Marasigan Verheye, 9-Misagh Median Bahadoran, 23-Ian Bayona Araneta, 34-Nathaniel George Payos Burkey

INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh, 16-Samir Naik, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 3-Raju Eknath Gaikwad, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 32-Reisangmi Vashum (70' 18-Sushil Kumar Singh), 21-Rocus Lamare, 17-Adil Ahmed Khan (33' 28-Jewel Raja Sheikh), 26-Francis Fernandes; 9-Joaquim Santan Abranches, 11-Sunil Chhetri [C]
Substitutes: 25-Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, 36-Arindam Bhattacharya; 4-Nirmal Chetri, 5-Anwar, 6-C.S. Sabeeth, 12-Anthony Pereira, 20-Lalrindika Ralte, 27-Gurjinder Kumar Singh, 40-Kingshuk Debnath, 47-Lenny Rodrigues