The Indian national football team lost 2-0 to Jordan in an international friendly ahead of their AFC Asian Cup qualifier at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.
Munther Abu-Amara scored one and assisted the second goal for Jordan.
The Blue Tigers started the game brightly as they tested Jordan’s defence in the initial few minutes before their opponents settled down in the tie, dominating possession and almost scoring at the half hour mark.
Ashique Kuruniyan and Mohammad Yasir came on in the second half, replacing Manvir Singh and Anirudh Thapa.
Jordan tested Gurpreet Singh Sandhu multiple times in the second half but the Bengaluru FC man came up with brilliant saves to keep the Indians into the game.
Substitute Mohammad Yasir struck the crossbar in the 65th minute with an excellent free-kick. Sandesh Jhingan got a wonderful opportunity minutes later which he fluffed wide of the Jordanian goal-post.
Brandon Fernandes replaced Indian captain Sunil Chhetri in the 74th minute and suffered an injury just a few seconds after coming onto the pitch, before recovering to be fit enough to continue playing. Suresh Singh Wangjam too came on the pitch at the 74th minute as Igor Stimac played his last few cards to salvage the game.
However, India conceded just a minute after their introductions on to the pitch as Monther Abu Amara blasted a shot past Gurpreet.
Ishan Pandita arguably got India’s best chance of the game in the 93rd minute, but he failed to convert before the Indian team conceded a second goal on the resultant counter-attack courtesy of Abu Zraiq in the 94th minute to end the game 2-0 in favour of Jordan.
