India go down 2-5 to Bahrain in Asian Cup

India went down 2-5 against Bahrain in their second group match of the Asian Cup football tournament here Friday.

Bahrain striker Ismaeel Abdul Latif scored the tournament’s first hat-trick, and ended up with four goals finding the target in the 16th, 19th and 35th and 77th minute after team-mate Faouzi Aaish had opened account for his side in the eighth minute. Aaish was later red carded in the match for a sliding, which gave him his second yellow card of the match.

For India, Gouramangi Singh scored in the ninth minute and striker Sunil Chettri added the second in the 52nd minute in the Group C match at the Al Sadd Stadium.

In a fast-paced match, Indian defence lay tattered as they tried to match their more fancied rivals, who missed out the bus for 2010 world Cup in play-off, but a goal-keeper misjudgement and constant pressure from their opponents saw them wilt.

The Indian defence of Gouramangi Singh, Anwar, Surkumar Singh and Syed Rahim Nabi were troubled by the Bahraini strike duo of John Jaycee and Abbdul Latif several times.

India almost took the lead as early as ub the third minute, but Chhetri missed the opportunity. In a quick counter attack, Captain Climax Lawrence sent a precise aerial pass for Chhetri but the Indian strike’s left-footer was tipped over the bar by Bahrain goalkeeper Mahmood Mansoor.