India make poor start at Merdeka

Kuala Lumpur, did not prove to be a happy venue for the Indian football team. India lost to the Malaysian U-23 team 1-2, to make a disappointing start to their Merdeka Cup campaign.

The Indian team had arrived in Malaysia on a high after having finished third in their World Cup qualifying group.

Even the absence of star striker, Baichung Bhutia, had failed get the better of the Indian spirit.

The Indian team missed the services Bhutia and Jo Paul Ancheri, the acting captian, also limped off the field in the 24th minute to be replaced by Hardeep Singh Sangha.

Both the sides remained scoreless upto half-time, but the Indian goalkeeper Virendra Singh was caught off guard in the first minute of the second half by a seemingly harmless shot from Indra Putra. The Malysian side was now up 1-0.

The game then flowed from one end to the other until Mohd. Nizaruddin struck for Malaysia again. The scoreline was 2-0 in Malaysia's favour.

India, mounted a late challenge on the Malaysian goal and reduced the margin through Jules Alberto in the 85th minute of the game.

In the dying minutes of the game, striker Alvito D'Cunha almost got the equaliser but his shot went just wide.