Uttam fights hard as India U-19 goes down to Uzbekistan

GANGTOK, 24 Sept: Despite of a brace by Sikkim’s Uttam Rai, India lost to Uzbekistan 2-3 at the ongoing Asian Football Confederation [AFC] Under-16 Championship at the Rah Ayan Stadium, Tehran on Sunday.
Uttam Rai scored both goals for India, both through flawless headers in the 47th and 71st minutes.
Uttam’s brace brought India back into the game on Sunday as both were equalizers, drawing India U-16 level on both occasions against the formidable Uzbeks. Where the first was off a feint from the corner of the inner box, for the other he jumped in between the two rival stoppers to meet substitute Raja Rawat’s cross.
But Uzbekistan, coming into the championship with an experience of more than 34 international matches in the last eight months, managed to hold on in the final twenty minutes as they prevailed 3-2.
For Uzbekistan, Odilov Mukhiddin, Abdullaev Ibrokhim and substitute Abdiganiyev Ilhomjon scored one apiece.
India will take on Syria in its next match on Tuesday.