Kyrgyz Republic pipped India in the 9-12th position playoff decider of the Granatkin Memorial Tournament in a penalty shootout at the Turbostroitel, St. Petersburg on Tuesday.
After going down to 10 men in the second minute, India came out bravely to keep the scoreline unscathed in the first half.
Akash Mishra (74') opened the scoreline for India before Emir (88') restored the parity two minutes before the regulation time ended.
In the penalty shootout, Harmanpreet Singh, Sailo Lalchhanhima and Jitendra Singh missed the target while the Kyrgyz shooters were spot on to seal the game 3-1.
India will now face the losers of the playoff match between Armenia and Tajikistan in its final playoff match to decide the 11th and 12th position of the competition.
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Ninthoi Meetei, who sat out owing to an aggravated injury from the last match, was replaced by Harmanpreet Singh upfront alongside Rohit Danu in the starting lineup.
India suffered an early setback having gone down to 10 men in the second minute. On a corner, Sumit Rathi went for the header and in the process, fouled the Kyrgyz goalkeeper Artem Priadkin to put his team one man down.
India got its first real chance after the clock crossed the half-hour mark. Rohit Danu outpaced his marker and rolled the ball to Harmanpreet but before the latter could unleash a shot, Kyrgyz goalkeeper Artem snatched it from his feet.
India was showing its positive intent despite having the numerical disadvantage and was able to hold on until the break.
Akash Mishra, the standout performer from the last match, came out with a wonderful opportunity to score his second goal of the tournament two minutes after the restart but the Kyrgyz goalie anticipated it rightly.
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Prabhsukhan Gill was put under real test in the 70th minute but the calm-headed goalkeeper collected the ball without much fuss to keep the danger away.
In the 74th minute, Akash rose above the defenders to head the ball home, adding another goal to his tally.
As India was inching closer to its first win, Emir put a heavy dent to India's hopes by scoring the equaliser from the edge of the penalty area in the 88th minute.
Aidar took it forward and put in a low cross for Emir, who found the net to send the match into the tie-breaker.
In the shootout, Rohit Danu started perfectly for India before Harmanpreet, Sailo and Jitendra's efforts were thwarted by Artem to deny the Indians their first win in the tournament.
India U19 Team: Prabhsukhan Gill; Muhammed Rafi, Robin Yadav (Sailo Lalchhinhima 88'), Sumit Rathi, Akash Mishra; Sanjeev Stalin (Jitendra Singh 37'), Jeakson Singh, Ricky Shabong (Muhammed Basit 90'), Givson Singh; Harmanpreet Singh, Rohit Danu.
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