Farukh scores crucial equaliser as India plays out 1-1 draw against Vietnam in international friendly
India did well in the second-half to get back on level terms as Farukh Choudhary scored the equaliser in the 53rd minute.
Published : Oct 12, 2024 18:24 IST , CHENNAI - 2 MINS READ
India’s Farukh Choudhary scores against Vietnam at the Thien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh, Vietnam. | Photo Credit: AIFF
India played out a 1-1 draw against Vietnam in an international friendly at the Thien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh, Vietnam on Saturday.
Keeper and captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saved a penalty-kick in the 11th minute however, gave away an easy goal in the 38th minute to Hoang Duc Nguyen.
Vietnam was on the attack from the starting whistle and was looking to pry open the India defence with quick short passes in the attacking third.
Hoang Duc and Nguyen Van Toan, the two focal points in the Vietnam attacks, were using their pace to get behind the India defence.
India, despite fielding five defenders, was not afraid to counterattack. Lone striker Farukh Choudhary, who started his first game for the Blue Tigers in three years, was frequently involved in these breaks alongside Lallianzuala Chhangte.
In the 11th minute, Rahul Bheke fouled Bui Vi Hao inside the box, resulting in a penalty kick. Vietnam’s captain, Que Ngoc Hai, took the shot, but his attempt was easily saved by Gurpreet’s imposing presence.
India did well in the second-half to get back on level terms as Farukh Choudhary scored the equaliser in the 53rd minute.
After putting intense on the Golden Star Warriors’ defence, it was an aerial through ball that finally brought the goal for India. Suresh Singh hung it up behind the defence, as Farukh shrugged off the Vietnam captain before chipping it on the volley over keeper Filip, to put India back on level terms.
The hosts tried hard to score in the closing stages of the match, encouraged by the home crowd. It had a few good chances, but Gurpreet made some fantastic saves and Anwar Ali cleared a ball off the line to keep it from scoring the winner.
With this draw, Manolo Marquez’s quest for the first win as Blue Tigers’ coach continues. India is yet to win a match in this calendar year.