India lose to Oman 1-5 in football

Muscat, Feb 23 (IANS) India went down 1-5 to higher-ranked Oman in a football friendly at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex Stadium here Thursday.

Joaquim Abranches scored the solitary goal for India in the 64th minute. For the hosts, Ismail al Ajami scored a brace while Mohamad al Gasani, Hasan Rabea and Abdullah Thuwaini scored one apiece.

The match was part of India's preparation for the forthcoming AFC Challenge Cup.

India could have scored more goals.

The Indian start was not good. Two defensive lapses within two minutes saw India concede two goals within the first seven minutes.

First, Gourmangi Singh couldn't leap enough to prevent Gasani form heading in. Then the back four left a yawning gap in the inner box for Alajmi to tap in from close.

Those lapses set the tone for the match, and the Indians never recovered. India conceded the last two goals inside three minutes.