Kochi: Playing their first international match at home after the Nehru Cup, India suffered a 2-4 defeat against Palestine in a friendly football game here on Wednesday.
Clifford Miranda and Syed Rahim Nabi scored for India in the 17th and the 39th minutes respectively while, for Palestine, Ashraf Alfawaghra scored a hat-trick while Husam Abusalah scored the other goal.
Arata Izumi became the first Person of Indian origin to play for country in the national football team in the match, but Shillong Lajong’s Sushil Kumar Singh did not get a look in.
If India were by far the better side in the first half and went into the interval enjoying a 2-1 lead; the brace scored by Palestine within three minutes after resumption never allowed India to come back into the match.
In the first half, the hosts, cheered on by almost 40,000 spectators, started on a positive note.
The calm in defence, the composure in the midfield and the interchanging between the front two, Alwyn George and captain Sunil Chhetri upfront, rattled the strong Palestine side, which had fielded nine players who did duty for them in the West Asia Cup in December 2012.
Playing in only his second international, Alwyn looked matur beyond his years. The U-22 India player stayed away from his markers, forcing the rival midfield to look sloppy.
There were short-passes as much there was switching as much there was interchanging. The team adjusted according to the situation – slowing the procedure when needed and pressing forward the very next moment.
India surged into the lead in the 17th minute. Alwyn snaked in between a couple of rival defenders but his left-footer was palmed away by goalkeeper Tawfiq Abuhammad only for Miranda to blast it in.
However, the lead lasted only 13 minutes when much against the run of play Ashraf Alfawaghra volleyed in an Abdulhamid Abuhabib centre.
Nabi restored the lead when he leapt up to head in Mehtab Hossain’s corner.
India went into the interval with a 2-1 lead.
But it was a different story in the second half.
After the resumption, Palestine equalised to make it 2-2. Hasam Abusalah heading in a corner in the 46th minute and in the very next minute, Palestine were 3-2 up; Ashraf converting from the spot after a Nabi foul inside the box.
Izumi made his debut for India in the 63rd minute coming on for Lenny Rodrigues.
But two minutes later, Palestine made it 4-2; Ashraf completing his hat-trick as he went past his marker and slotted it home.
India’s first chance in the second half came in the 73rd minute but a Jewel Raja volley from the top of the box missed the mark.
National Coach Wim Koevermans did bring in more substitutions in the second half including local lad CK Vineet but Palestine held onto the lead. (PTI)