Palestine beat India 4-2 in entertaining international friendly

Playing their first International match at home after the Nehru Cup, India suffered a 2-4 defeat against Palestine in a friendly football game at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here today. Clifford Miranda and Syed Rahim Nabi scored for India in the 17th and the 39th minute respectively while for Palestine, Ashraf Alfawaghra scored a hat-trick while Husam Abusalah scored the other goal. Arata Izumi became the first Person of Indian origin to play for country in the national football team in the match. [caption id=“attachment_616372” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  India’s line-up against Palestine. AIFF[/caption] If India were by far the better side in the first half and went into the interval enjoying a 2-1 lead; the brace scored by Palestine within three minutes after resumption never allowed India to come back into the match. In the first half, the hosts, Cheered on by almost 40000 spectators, started on a positive note and were the better team. The calm in defence, the composure in the midfield and the interchanging between the front two, Alwyn George and captain Sunil Chhetri upfront, rattled the strong Palestine side, which had fielded nine players who did duty for them in the West Asia Cup in December 2012. Playing in only his second International match, Alwyn looked matured beyond his age. The Under-22 India player stayed away from his markers forcing the rival midfield to look a bit yawning. There were short-passes as much there was switching as much there was interchanging. The team adjusted according to the situation – slowing the procedure when needed and pressing the accelerator the very next moment. Palestine were never allowed to settle down. India surged into the lead in the 17th minute. Alwyn snaked in between a couple of rival defenders but his left-footer was palmed away by goalkeeper Tawfiq Abuhammad only for Clifford Miranda to blast it in. PTI