Azerbaijan vs India International Friendly: India go down to Azerbaijan 0-3

India 0 - 3 Azerbaijan

Ajerbaijan: Nidirov Vugar(3rd), Mahir Shukurov (P 43rd), Hasiyev Nizami (82nd).

INDIA: Shubashish Roychowdhury; Syed Rahim Nabi, Gouramangi Singh (Captain), Raju Gaikwad, Gurjinder Kumar; Reisangmi Vashum (Lalrindika Ralte), Manish Maithani (Jewel Raja), Adil Khan (Lenny Rodrigues), Francis Fernandes (Lester Fernandes); Sushil Singh, Joaquim Abranches (Manandeep Singh).


The match started with a minutes silence and the Indian players were seen wearing Black armband, as a mark to show respect to legendary footballer Sailen Manna who passed away earlier today.

Another lacklustre performance by the Indian team saw them facing another defeat, this time the margin was three goals as compared to the 5-1 thrashing against Oman. Just like it happened in the last match against Oman, India were down by a goal in the early minute. This time it was Nidirov Vugar who scored from a faulty clearance off Indian custodian Subhashish Roy Chowdhry in the 3rd minute. It was Azerbaijan who were showing more urgency even after getting an early goal. They were enjoying dogs share of possession and Indian midfield was all over the place and so was the defense. With the way Azerbaijan were playing, the second goal seemed coming any moment. And it came on 43rd minute when Raju Gaikwad recklessly tackled from behind to stop Mahir Shukurov and referee pointed straight to the spot which saw India go down 0-2 as Mahir Shukurov  calmly converted from the spot.

Hasiyev Nizami scored Azerbaijan’s third goal in the 82nd minute. India only showed a bit of urgency in the early phases of second half when the midfield was trying to create something unlike the second half, but soon though the Azerbaijan players soaked the little pressure and soon, they were back at the driving seat. Azerbaijan were given the reward as they deservingly got the third goal in the 82nd minute through Hasiyev Nizami.

Savio Medeira, Indian National team coach has loads of work
still left ahead of AFC Challenge Cup 2012

After the two matches Indian Coach Savio Medeira has got a big task to do with the team selection as very few of the players were impressive and the team never really clicked as a unit. With the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 knocking at the door and with no other practice matches to play, it will take a big recovery if India wants a direct birth for the next AFC Asia Cup through the tournament which helped India gain a ticket to the presigious AFC Asia Cup 2011, Qatar.