Blue Tigers Suffer Defeat At Tajikistan, Farukh Choudhary Bags Consolation

India went down 1-3 to higher-ranked Tajikistan in an international football friendly in Tursunzoda on Friday as Goals from Sheriddin Boboev, Mekhrubon Karimov and Ehson Panjshanbe helped the hosts rout the visiting Blue Tigers.

India are scheduled to play another international friendly against the host nation on June 9.

The hosts went ahead early when Sheriddin Boboev converted a penalty in the ninth minute, and they maintained that advantage until half-time as India struggled to fashion clear-cut chances against a disciplined and well-organised Tajik defence.

After the interval, India showed greater intent, but Tajikistan tightened their control on the game with two more goals from Mekhrubon Karimov in the 61st minute and Ehson Panjshanbe in the 67th.

The visitors pulled one back late on through a fine strike from Farukh Choudhary in the 88th minute, but the goal proved only a consolation as they slipped to their third consecutive defeat in their recent series of international friendlies.

This fixture formed part of India’s preparations for upcoming continental commitments, with head coach Khalid Jamil using the match to evaluate combinations and provide valuable exposure to several players against strong opposition.

The Blue Tigers entered the game on the back of two losses at the Unity Cup in London, where they were beaten 0-2 by Jamaica and 0-1 by Zimbabwe.

(With Inputs From Agencies)