KUWAIT CITY: In its debut game of Group H of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers on Friday at the Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium, the India U-20 national team lost 2-4 to Iraq.

Iraq's Abdulrazzaq Qasim scored the game's opening goal in the second minute with a curling effort using the outside of his boot.

India tried to react quickly after both Gurkirat and Taison repeatedly put the opposing defence in peril over the course of a few minutes but were hauled down by fouls. Eventually, the pressure paid off as Gurkirat scored with a timely strike in the 22nd minute after Vibin sent Taison in, who set it up for the forward.

In the 33rd minute, Gurkirat switched roles from scorer to provider as he attempted a beautiful through-pass, and Maheson added the final touch with a dink over the goalkeeper.

Amandeep stopped Hayder Tofee in his tracks with a great tackle in the 40th minute, and Zahid Bukhari stopped attempts from Ashar Ali and Abbood Rabah to give the Indian team the advantage going into the break.

Five minutes after the break, India had the opening chance of the second half, but the Iraqi goalie stopped Himanshu Jangra's header. Only a minute later, though, Hayder Tofee nodded in a cross from the left side to turn the tide for Iraq.
In the 62nd minute, Zahid produced yet another superb save by blocking a strong attempt from Abdulrazzak. However, Sadeeq Shaheen scored and gave his team the lead one minute later by eluding the Indian defence.

In the 71st minute, Azad Kalouri's cross was deflected into the goal by Bikash Yumnam, giving the Iraqi team a larger lead. With 15 minutes remaining, India made a late push, with Suhail Bhat coming just inches short of completing Taison's cross from the right wing.

Suhail's header in the final second of regulation struck the crossbar, while Gurkirat got near once again. Amandeep attempted to head a long throw that Bikash threw into the Iraqi box in stoppage time, but his effort was just inches wide.

In the next match, India will play Australia on October 16.

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