#AsianGames: India loses against China 1-5 after being jetlagged
The Indian football team faced the hosts of the Asian Games just hours after arriving in Hangzhou, and their lack of preparation was evident in their performance, particularly in the latter stages of the second half, when they conceded as many as four goals to lose 1-5 at the Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium on Tuesday.
With this, India’s dismal streak against China continues, as they have now gone 20 games without a victory. For the AFC U23 qualifications, China’s U23 team just defeated India 2-1 in a thrilling match at Dalian earlier this month.
India played in its 57th game in the Asia Games’ history, having missed the competition for nine years. India last took part in the Incheon Games in 2014.
In the opening 20 minutes of the match on Tuesday, a well-oiled Chinese team had a number of opportunities before India forced Gurmeet Singh to save a few. Gao Tianyi’s close-range shot gave the squad a fantastic start and made it 1-0 even though India was able to repel a corner. However, India was able to tie the game at halftime thanks to a fantastic goal by Rahul KP, who utilized his pace to first get to the ball and then smash an accurate shot at the near-post of the goalie.
Less than five minutes into the second half, China managed to retake the lead thanks to a long-range goal from Dai Weijun. They later scored three more goals to finish the night with a four-goal advantage, placing them atop Group A’s standings.
After China beat India, midfielder Dai Weijun remarked, “I think we need to be ourselves, and it’s important to have our own strategy and our own momentum.”
India will be optimistic about its prospects of advancing to the knockout rounds despite having two more games to play in the group round. After regrouping for the next 48 hours, they will face Bangladesh on Thursday before traveling to Myanmar on Sunday.
victory in men’s volleyball for India
At the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Tuesday, the Indian men’s volleyball team humiliated Cambodia 3-0 in their first match of the tournament.
In a Pool C match, India defeated lower-ranked Cambodia 25-14, 25-13, 25-19 as a great warm-up for the tougher challenges to come.
The South Korean team, the other member of Pool C, will face off against the Indian squad on Wednesday. It should be assumed that South Korea, which is rated 27th in the world, won’t make it easy for the Indians.
