India opened their campaign by defeating Lebanon 5-2 in the opening match of the AFC U-22 Championship qualifiers at the Picturesque Stadium, Muscat.
Striker Manandeep Singh, who sadly lost his grandfather recently, paid the perfect tribute by heading in a scorching header off a Lalrindika cross in the 16th minute to put India in the lead while Alwyn George slotted it past an advancing rival goalkeeper Nazih Hassan in the 39th minute.
He added one more in the 55th minute while Jeje Lalpekhlua scored his first goal in the 71st minute and completed the rout in the 90th minute. For Lebanon, substitute Omar Kurdi pulled one back in the 48th minute while Abdul Fattah scored another in the 69th minute.
The first half saw Indians take the initiative as they looked better prepared and organised. The practice sessions in Delhi and Dubai helped the team to acclimatise fast.
Changing over, Lebanon reduced the margin almost immediately Omar Kurdi sneaking in between the two stoppers Souvik Ghosh and Deepak Devrani to slot it home. Suddenly it seemed, India were losing the plot and Arthur Papas, not much pleased in the momentum being lost, wanted to draft in Jeje Lalpeklua.
But even before Jeje replaced Manandeep, Alwyn George made it 3-1. Receiving it midway into the rival half, Alwyn snaked past three and placed it in the corner for his second goal of the match.
Abdul Fattah did tap in off a melee in the 70th minute for Lebanon but the very next minute Jeje announced his rival scoring the right corner of the inner box.
With no option left, Lebanon went all out. India stayed content in slowing down the pace for the rest of the match. Lebanon did try to press hard but it came too late. On the contrary, Dika hit the post which should have been Indias fifth goal.
Instead Jeje made it 5-2 off a counter in the 90th minute.
Manandeep Singh shines as India Under-22 smash 5 goals past a hapless Lebanon Under-22 side - Goal.com
Striker Manandeep Singh, who sadly lost his grandfather recently, paid the perfect tribute by heading in a scorching header off a Lalrindika cross in the 16th minute to put India in the lead while Alwyn George slotted it past an advancing rival goalkeeper Nazih Hassan in the 39th minute.
He added one more in the 55th minute while Jeje Lalpekhlua scored his first goal in the 71st minute and completed the rout in the 90th minute. For Lebanon, substitute Omar Kurdi pulled one back in the 48th minute while Abdul Fattah scored another in the 69th minute.
The first half saw Indians take the initiative as they looked better prepared and organised. The practice sessions in Delhi and Dubai helped the team to acclimatise fast.
Changing over, Lebanon reduced the margin almost immediately Omar Kurdi sneaking in between the two stoppers Souvik Ghosh and Deepak Devrani to slot it home. Suddenly it seemed, India were losing the plot and Arthur Papas, not much pleased in the momentum being lost, wanted to draft in Jeje Lalpeklua.
But even before Jeje replaced Manandeep, Alwyn George made it 3-1. Receiving it midway into the rival half, Alwyn snaked past three and placed it in the corner for his second goal of the match.
Abdul Fattah did tap in off a melee in the 70th minute for Lebanon but the very next minute Jeje announced his rival scoring the right corner of the inner box.
With no option left, Lebanon went all out. India stayed content in slowing down the pace for the rest of the match. Lebanon did try to press hard but it came too late. On the contrary, Dika hit the post which should have been Indias fifth goal.
Instead Jeje made it 5-2 off a counter in the 90th minute.
Manandeep Singh shines as India Under-22 smash 5 goals past a hapless Lebanon Under-22 side - Goal.com
