Hosts India put up a spirited fight but went down fighting 2-1 to Colombia in their second Group A outing, on Monday night.
Making their first-ever appearance at a FIFA World Cup, India fought hard and managed to hold Colombia to a 0-0 draw till half-time. However, immediately after returning from the break, Juan Penaloza scored the opener for Colombia.
The 82nd minute saw India score their first-ever FIFA event goal courtesy Jaekson Singh Thounaojam but the joy didn’t last long as the visiting side found some openings in the defence and took the lead in the very next minute. Juan Penaloza with the goal once again.
The match ended 2-1 in favour of Colombia as they picked up three points from the win. India at the bottom of Group A with their second defeat of the tournament.
India scored when Jeakson, the tallest player in the side, headed in a Sanjeev Stalin corner, sending the whole stadium into a state of delirium.
The move to make four changes by coach Luis Norton de Matos proved to be a wise one as the taller Indian players ensured they were equal to the task, when it came to the aerial battle against the well-built Colombians.
It was a very different India that turned up after the 0 -3 loss to USA three nights ago.
They were on the ball from the word go and even though the Colombians had more of possession, India very much managed to make their presence felt.
There was heightened activity in the Colombian box, with Ninthoinganba Meetei initiating surging runs down the right flank, each steps raising hopes for the improbable. This was in the in the beginning of the Group A match.
To the surprise, and delight, of the sizeable crowd at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, India had Colombia at their mercy in the 16th minute.
But, to the disappointment of the thousands occupying the stands, Abhijeet Sarkar, having found a clear view of the goal, shot over.
India’s hopes went up in smoke after coming agonizingly close to scoring their first ever World Cup goal.
In the cut-throat world of international football, Colombia may be many, many rungs above India, but the host nation had the momentum on this night. And they used it to rattle the Colombians on a few occasions.
India came close again, closer would be appropriate, but Rahul Kanoly’s volley thudded against the post instead of finding the back of the net. The pain on coach Luis Norton de Matos was palpable as the Indians once fumbled after coming so close.
With both teams failing to break the deadlock, India went into the breather with their heads held high, but cursing their fate.
The two chances would haunt them for long. Hitting the framework, they say, is bad omen in football and the saying stayed true as Colombia broke the deadlock, and Indian hearts, with a fine strike after the change of ends.
It was Juan Penaloza who put Colombia ahead in the 51st minute. The midfielder ran to the edge of the box and kept the Indian defenders guessing with his deft footwork, before unleashing a rasping left-footed volley to the bottom left corner of Dheeraj Singh’s post.
The assist was made by captain Thomas Gutierrez, and as the ball found the back of the net, the Latin Americans ran towards their dugout and celebrated. They were relieved to have opened their account after suffering a reverse against Ghana in the opening encounter.
India’s number one goalkeeper, on this occasion, had no chance even though he had another brilliant night under the bar pulling off a couple incredible saves, showing nice anticipation.
Down by a goal in this crucial encounter, India looked eager to respond as Meetei delivers a cross from the right flank, only to find Rahul Kanoly’s shot wide off the target.
