India suffers 1-2 loss against Turkmenistan in World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

India suffers 1-2 loss against Turkmenistan in World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

no photo

India's search for an elusive win in the World Cup 2018 Qualifiers was thwarted once again, as they suffer a 2-1 loss against Turkmenistan in their fourth World Cup Qualifier game. Jeje's goal went in vain as the visitors squandered an easy scoring opportunity in the end.

India started the match on the front-foot, but it was Turkmenistan who took the lead against the run of play. 27-year-old midfielder, Guwanch Abylov, opened the scoring for the home side.

The Blue Tigers came back strongly to dominate the game after the goal, as they pushed for an equalizer. Jeje Lalpekhlua looked dangerous upfront and troubled the home team's defence with his direct running with the ball. Eventually, it was the former Dempo forward who scored and brought parity to the game. Turkmenistan goalkeeper, Mammet Orazmuhammedow, made an unconvincing save and only managed to parry the ball towards Jeje. The 24-year-old made no mistake and lifted the ball over the keeper to provide India with a well deserved goal.

The game lost its flow in the second half as both the teams struggled to keep the ball for any considerable amount of time. Amangylyç Koçumow's men, however, took the lead for the second time in the match as Arslanmyrat Amanow scored in the 66th minute of the game. It was Amanow's second goal in as many matches, as he steered Turkmenistan to their first win in the World Cup Qualifiers.

India threw everything they had in search of an equalizer, but Robin Singh missed a golden opportunity in the end.

The match ended 2-1 in favour of Turkmenistan, who grabbed their first win of the qualifiers. For India though, the wait goes on, as they prepare for another tough away fixture, against 102 ranked Oman, on 13th October.

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all