India were now putting Iraq under pressure with Dika and Allwyn’s one-twos had the Iraqis guessing. In the 75th minute, Manandeep tried to tap in between the two stoppers but Yaseen Yas was quick to react.
The Iraqis tried to slow the game down in the last quarter but Alwyn was too good for them. He shrugged off three defenders and tap it over an onrushing Yaseen in the 82nd minute to reduce the deficit.
The rest of the match, India went all out but Iraq managed to hold on. A handball shout was even ruled out. The books may suggest the score for future but the spirit and camaraderie will never be reflected in that. This is a resurgent India who plays till the final whistle and this generation fights until the end.
India next play the United Arab Emirates on July 28 in a crucial tie which could decide if India retain a chance to reach the final round or not.
INDIA Under-22s
1-Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; 26-Vishal Kumar, 14-Souvik Ghosh, 6-Prathamesh Maulingkar, 5-Narayan Das; 34-Pronay Halder (58′ 7-Ganeshan), 17-Ongnam Milan Singh (83′ 31-Romeo Fernandes), 8-Lalrindika Ralte; 12-Alwyn George, 35-Manandeep Singh, 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua [Captain] (38′ 19-Holicharan Harzary)
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