Football
2022 International Friendly
IND 
0
FT
 BLR
3
Agencies 2y

India lose to Belarus 0-3 in friendly

India conceded three second half goals to suffer a disappointing 0-3 defeat against Belarus in their second international football friendly match here on Saturday.

Earlier, India had lost to Bahrain 1-2 in their first international friendly match in Manama, Bahrain on Wednesday.

Bykau Artsem (48th minute), Salavei Andrei (68th) and Hramyka Valery (90+2) were the goal scorers for Belarus who are 10 places above India in the FIFA rankings at 94th. Facing UEFA opposition for the first time since 2012, head coach Igor Stimac, made seven changes to the lineup that started against Bahrain, including giving Hormipam Ruivah his debut, after an excellent season for Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League.

Using a 5-4-1 formation, India did well in the first half as they kept Belarus at bay but lost way in the second period, which should be a cause of concern for head coach Igor Stimac, with just over two months left for the Asian Cup final round qualifiers in Kolkata in June.

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