The Indian Under-16 team went down 2-3 to the United Arab Emirates Under-16 team in their first group stage match of the AFC U-16 Championship in Goa. India had led 1-0 and 2-1 but failed to see the match out.
India started well as Sanjeev Stalin struck a wonderful free-kick beyond the wall and the UAE 'keeper Alhareth Salem as the young Tigers took a well-deserved lead in the 12th minute.
Indian keeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangtem brought an UAE player down in the box as the visitors were awarded a penalty. Dheeraj saved the resulting penalty to keep India in the lead. Moments later, UAE were awarded a corner and the keeper Dheeraj flapped at the corner to give Manea Aydh an easy headed finish in the 33rd minute as UAE levelled the game at 1-1.
An excellent run from Aniket Jadhav brought dividends as the winger passed it to Boris Thangjam in the 36th minute who made no mistake in finishing the chance off and giving India the lead again.
UAE looked rejuvenated after the break and it was their captain Majid Rashid who levelled things up again in the 53rd minute with a toe poke into the far-left corner giving Dheeraj no chance.
Subsitute Ahmed Fawzi then latched on an excellent through ball and rounded the keeper to give UAE the lead in the 75th minute. They held on to it till the final whistle to win 3-2.
India's next match is against Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
India U-16 2 (Sanjeev Singh, Boris Thangjam) lose to UAE U-16 3 (Manea Aydh, Majid Rashid, Ahmed Fawzi)
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