Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] June 8 (NT): After grabbing much attraction, The Indian football team's campaign at the Intercontinental Cup 2018 clash came to a distress end as they received a shocking 1-2 defeat to New Zealand at the Mumbai Football Arena on Thursday.

It had seemed fated for the Indian football fans as a lucky goal from Captain Sunil Chhetri had put India into the lead in the 48th minute, But the New Zealand side first brought back parity through Andre Jong.

In The first-half Kiwis dominated to the Indians and they didn't open up and managed to hold on. The bouncers continued even in the second half and though the Indians fought back and New Zealand stayed the better team.

The first card of the game came out in the 8th minute when Jai Ingham was reserved for an off-the ball breach on Ashique Kuruniyan.

It was obvious for the Kiwis who had come with a strategy of disturbing the Indian defense with quick crosses and their first withdrawn at the Indian goal came in the 12th minute but Andre Jong's header navigated over.

The applause went a bit louder in the 22nd minute when opponent goalkeeper Michael Woud fumbled a routine gathering allowing skipper Sunil Chhetri to get it on the bounce back. But an alert Woud managed to narrow it down and turn aside any hazard.

The Kiwis who were all the time pressing were eventually claimed the winning goal in the 86th minute as substitute Moses John Dyer performed it brilliantly. (NT)