Kuwait City, Oct 19: Skipper Taison Singh and Gurkirat Singh struck in either half as India edged past hosts Kuwait 2-1 in their final qualification match but the third-place finish in Group H was not good enough to qualify for the next year’s AFC U-20 Asian Cup.
India finished ahead of Kuwait but behind toppers Australia and second-placed Iraq qualification event, which identified participants for next year’s tournament in Uzbekistan.
Top teams from all the 10 groups and the five best runners-up qualified for the final tournament, with Uzbekistan getting a direct entry as hosts in the 16-team continental event to be held from March 1 to 18 in 2023.
India had lost 2-4 and 1-4 to Iraq and Australia respectively in their previous group matches. In the match against Kuwait on Tuesday night, Taison Singh and Gurkirat Singh scored for India while Saleh Almehtab pulled one back for the hosts at the Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium.
Taison gave India the early lead in the eighth minute when he burst into the box, skipped past his marker and laced a powerful shot into the top corner.
Kuwait pounced on the attack soon and Jarah Alheleeli struck the Indian cross-bar from a free-kick. Kuwait continued to attack in search of the equaliser, while the Indians tried to hit their opponents on the break.
India went into the break with a goal lead.
Kuwait came out with more impetus after the change of ends. With under 20 minutes to go, Kuwait captain Saleh Almehtab curled in a free-kick into the Indian goal to equalise for the hosts.
Kuwait’s joy lasted for just three minutes as Taison was brought down outside the Kuwaiti area. Gurkirat stepped up and sent a powerful shot towards the goal which took a deflection before going into the net. (PTI)
