International Friendlies: India U-23s face narrow defeat at hands of Malaysia U-23s

Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh scored the only goal for India.

India U-23 Men’s National Team went down to hosts Malaysia U-23 National Team 1-2 in the first of the two friendly matches at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday, March 22, 2024.

The young guns from both teams displayed tremendous effort to change the winds of the game in their favour. Both sides tried hard to create chances & thwart the defense of the other.

In the 2-1 score-line in favor of Malaysia, both sides look lethal with their attacking moves since the start of the game. The hosts were successful in effectively using their wings in the first half to threaten India’s backline. The chances created though went in vain as most were off-target, while for some a wall-like Prabsukhan Gill was enough.

The India U-23 defense was tested at scale today as the Blue Colts had to concede several corners in the first half. Malaysia too faced a goal on-target, which was successfully dealt with the able hands of the Malaysian goalie.

While the thirst to gain midfield momentum grew dense between the two sides, it was Malaysia who struck the first blow after efficiently plying a shot from outside the penalty box in the first 45 minutes. The Blue Colts tried hard to level scores in the first half itself, but never really were able to convert their chances.

The final half of the friendly kick-start with the intense effort of the hosts to double their lead. Naushad Moosa’s boys were put to test again. The India U-23 boys tried hard but failed to stay compact with such repeated attacking threats when Alif Zikri scored a marvelous goal to double the lead for Malaysia.

Team India tried to fight back after trailing by two goals, but their efforts yielded no positive outcomes as none of the chances created could be converted. The Blue Colts though managed to lower the deficit when Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh struck one back in the 77th minute.

India U-23 boys were reignited after the well-worked goal but with limited time on their hands, the boys had to leave the venue with a narrowly conceded defeat.

India U-23: Prabhsukhan Singh (captain and GK), Thoiba Singh Moirangthem, Bikash Yumnam (Narender 71’), Hormipam Ruivah (Robin Yadav 82’), Zothanpuia Mark (Sandip Mandi 71’), Chingamgbam Shivaldo Singh (N Meetei Khumanthem 89’), Mohammed Aimen (Parthib Sundar Gogoi 83’), Vibin Mohanan (Abhishek Dhananjay Suryavanshi 67’), Vishnu Puthiya Valappil (Mohammed Sanan Kundoyi 59’), Siva Sakthi Narayanan (Gurkirat Singh 71’), Isak Vanlalruatfela (Abdul Rabeeh Anjukandan 59’).

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