Tajikistan thrash India 3-0 in international friendly
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Khujand (Tajikistan): Indian football team's disastrous performance at the international level continued as they went down 0-3 to Tajikistan in an international friendly here today.Davronov Nuriddin (12th minute), Fatkhuloev Fatkhullo (18th minute) and Akhtam Khamrakulov (90+3) scored for the home team at the 20 Years of Independence Stadium.Indian team playing an international friendly after a long gap gave a poor account of themselves as Tajikistan looked a far better side in front of 10,000 odd spectators who came in support of the national team.Tajik players used the wide areas to good effect as they made forays from the flank. India No 2 custodian Sandeep Nandy, who is nearly 39 years old also wasn't in his element.The home team were rewarded as early as the 12th minute when Fatkhullo sprinted down the left and kept a low centre which was tapped in by an onrushing Nuriddin. Defenders Raju Gaekwad and debutant Arnab Mondal were not in position to stop Nuriddin from scoring.Conceding an early goal made matters worse for Wim Koevermans' boys who were without two of their best players Syed Rahim Nabi and Subrata Paul --- both dropped from squad from not doing pre-season training.Tajikistan went up by 2-0 when Vasiev Dilshod dodged past Nirmal Chettri but the latter brought him down just outside the box. Fatkhullo, whose assisted during the first goal curled one perfectly as the ageing Nandy's desperate late dive wasn't enough to prevent a second goal.The only time India had a clear sight at goal was in the 24th minute when left winger Clifford Miranda latched on to a long throw from Raju Gaekwad and unleashed a rasping left-footer.However the shot was directed straight at the goalie and Tuychiev Alisher didn't have any problems in punching the ball away.Age seemed to have caught up with Nandy as the near 40 custodian pulled up a muscle and was replaced by Karanjeet Singh just at the stroke of half-time.
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