19 July,2011 09:32 AM IST | | IANS
India held on to their early lead to beat a higher-ranked Qatar in an international football friendly at the Al Sadd Stadium in Doha on Sunday night.
It was a different script at the same stadium, which looks similar to the Old Trafford, where 29 days go the U-23 India team failed to take advantage of their early lead and lost the away leg of the pre-Olympic qualifier against Qatar, 2006 Asian Games champions.
But Sunday, the senior India team consolidated on their early lead to beat Qatar 2-1 in the friendly, which is a preparation match for India's first round World Cup qualifiers against the UAE.
Sunil Chhetri put India in the lead in the 16th minute when he converted from the spot. The penalty was awarded after Debabrata Roy was pulled down in the box.
Sushil Singh doubled the lead in the 73rd minute with a powerful shot from inside the box. Baljit paved it for
Sushil off a Khabra cross for him to bulge the net. Ibrahim Khalfan reduced the margin for Qatar a minute later.
India coach Armando Colaco, who brought in 10 changes in the second half, wasn't willing to go overboard despite the victory.u00a0 "We are improving day by day. That's important. The boys showed they are adopting fast to the new style," he said. "The game is all about ball possession and once we have the ball, we shouldn't give it away easily.
"The World Cup Qualifier against UAE is our acid test. It's a tough mountain to climb."
