Tajikistan U23 3–2 India U23 Player Ratings: Suhail Rated 8.5/10 as Tajikistan Stun India After a Late Comeback

The Hisor Central Stadium in Hisor, Tajikistan, hosted an interesting friendly clash between the Indian National U-23 Football Team and the Tajikistan National U-23 Football Team. Naushad Moosa was recently appointed as the head coach of the Under-23 team. The Indian U23 team over the years had not fared well and suffered losses. Bikash Yumnam captained the Indian U23 National Football Team, whereas Mehrubon Karimov led the Tajikistani outfit. Many known names from the Indian Super League also featured in this game, including the likes of Abhishek Tekcham from Punjab FC, Dippendu Biswas from Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mohammed Sanan from Jamshedpur FC, Macarton from NorthEast United FC, and many others as well. Many young faces like Vibin Mohanan, Parthib Gogoi, Korou Singh, Nikhil Barla, and Sahil started the match from the bench. The India U23 vs Tajikistan U23 was exciting end-to-end action. The under 23 Indian football team was playing with good pace.

The game began with both teams trying harder to impose their superiority over the other from the first minute itself.

Tajikistan and India both had equally entertaining first few minutes. Sanan looked quite agile in the wings, whereas the Tajikistan players also left no stone unturned to neutralise India's attacking prowess. Ind U23 boys were doing a great job in the first half.

After a spirited display of football from both ends, India took the lead after a brilliant ball from Macarton was buried into the net by Mohun Bagan's Suhail Bhat. Tajikistan kept pushing harder for the equaliser in the first half itself, but the Indian defence was resolute enough to protect their slender lead. However, a brilliant header from Ansar Khabibov levelled the score 1-1 within the hour mark. Parthib Gogoi's goal saw India clinch a victory in the final few minutes of the game. However, Tajikistan stunned India by scoring twice to have the final laugh in this game. When will the India U23 football team next match be? Here are the India National Under-23 football team vs Tajikistan National Under-23 football team player ratings.

Tajikistan U23 Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Yusupov Shukrobkhuja - 7.5/10

The Tajikistan goalkeeper did a decent job of denying the Indian strikers. From collecting crosses to making saves, he had a decent performance for Tajikistan tonight.

Defenders

Aleksandr Mukhin - 8/10

Donning jersey number 26, he was constantly monitoring Sanan. Though he was deceived by Sanan on a few occasions, he still played well to protect the flanks.

Abdurauf Mehruboni - 7/10

Mehruboni had a decent game tonight. He did a good job of stopping the Indian forwards from making any further damage.

Karimov Mehrubon - 7.5/10

The captain led his team like a valorous soldier tonight. From making those defensive interceptions to contributing during set pieces, he had a good game tonight.

Akhtamov Fakhriddin - 7/10

The left back played decently from the flanks and made those accelerated runs too.

Midfielders

Aknazarov Murodali - 6.5/10

Murodali was tasked with the responsibility of controlling the tempo of the game from the middle of the park.

Akhtob Khushv - 8/10

His deliveries were brilliant as Tajikistan almost took a lead in the first 30 minutes from his brilliant free kick.

Ansar Khabibov - 8.5/10

Jersey no. 17, Ansar Khabibov, brought Tajikistan back into the game after his header found the back of the net minutes before the hour mark.

Faridun Davlatov - 8/10

Faridun Davlatov's header almost found the back of the net, but it was slightly above to deny Tajikistan the lead in this game.

Forwards

Shahboz Khabibov - 6.5/10

The Tajikistan forwards did not have a great game tonight up front. Despite conceding first, there was a lack of intent from the strikers to push harder for an equaliser.

Alijoni Burijod - 7/10

Burijod also had a fairly off day. Despite constant supply from the midfield, the strikers failed to make much use of the chances.

Substitutes -

SUB - Muhammadali Azizboev - 8/10

SUB - Ziyozoza Asadbek - 7/10

SUB - Abdufattohi - 8/10

SUB - Dilovari - NA

SUB - Azizbek Daliev - NA

SUB - Muhammadiqbol Davlatov - 8.5/10

Manager

Levan Khomereki - 7.5/10

The Tajikistan gaffer had a great day at the office. His plans were executed well, and his subs were also impactful as Tajikistan equalised twice in the game.

India national under-23 football team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Priyansh Dubey - 6/10

Priyansh's safe hands were at work to keep Tajikistan quiet in the first half until they equalised. He lacked confidence, and his collection was too bad and putting India in precarious situations tonight.

Defenders

Abhishek Tekcham - 7.5/10

The young right back had a fairly decent game from the flanks tonight.

Dippendu Biswas - 7/10

Dippendu, with all his experience, should have done better to offer more defensive solidarity to the Indian side.

Bikash Yumnam - 7.5/10

The captain led his side from the front. He was a rock-solid presence in the back tonight.

Pramveer - 6.6/10

Pramveer did not make much impact tonight in the game.

Midfielders

Lalrinliana Hnamte - 7/10

Hnamte did not impress much tonight and was subbed off to make way for Shivaldo.

Ayush Chhetri - 7/10

Ayush had a decent game tonight, but should have kept the ball more under their control to avoid Tajikistan slowly taking control in the centre of the park.

Macarton Nickson - 7.5/10

Macarton was a menace on the flanks tonight. His contribution to the first goal to set up Suhail was excellent.

Forwards

Vinith Venkatesh - 6/10

Vinith did not make much impact on the pitch tonight and was subbed off to make way for Kerala Blasters' young sensation Korou Singh in the hour mark.

Suhail Ahmed - 8.5/10

Suhail Bhat had been constantly scoring goals whenever given an opportunity. Mohun Bagan's prospect Suhail led the attacking charges for the country and scored the maiden goal of the game.

Mohammed Sanan - 8/10

Sanan was constantly making attacks from the wings.

Substitutes -

SUB - Parthib Gogoi - 9/10

SUB - Korou Singh - 7/10

SUB - Aimen Mohammed - 8/10

SUB - Shivaldo - 7/10

SUB - Fanai - 7.5/10

Manager

Naushad Moosa - 7/10

The former Highlander's gaffer did a brilliant job with the young Indian stars to take the lead twice. But it ended in a disaster for India after they lost concentration in the regulation time to give away their win and suffered a defeat.

Sportsdunia Player of the match goes to Ansar Khabibov.