The India U-14 national team went down fighting and lost 0-1 against hosts Tajikistan in the AFC U-15 Regional Festival of Football 2015 on Saturday (May 23, 2015) at the FC Istiklol Academy Ground in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The Indian colts started the match on a positive note and piled pressure on their opponents. Bishnu and Ninthoi paired up and exchanged a couple of elegantly timed passes, which saw the latter onto goal, only to shoot inches wide of the post.

Minutes later, Flan’s through ball found a bombarding Ninthoi on the right flank, who chopped inside from the right flank with utmost grace and tested the mettle of the opposing goalkeeper with a rocket-of-a-shot.

In the 30th minute, against the run of play the Indian colts conceded, as a low cross found an unmarked Tajik striker who slotted the ball home.

Trailing by a solitary goal at half-time did not deter Indian spirits as the U-14 boys responded by a wave of fluid and clinical attacks right from the start of the second half.

Within minutes of the second half, the Indian colts fostered a brilliant opportunity to equalize their deficit as an unmarked Sanjeev was found in Tajik’s 18 yard box by Jitu’s long through ball, but the opportunity went abegging as Sanjeev blasted it inches over the crossbar.

Showcasing attacking fluidity and dominating the flow of the match, the Indian colts were at it again. Amarjeet’s radar released a well-timed through ball for Ninthoi, who slotted it wide of the goal.

The dying embers of the match witnessed a barrage of Indian attacks, but the Tajik defence was able to thwart them away.

The Indian colts face Iran next on Monday (May 25, 2015).

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)