India lost their fourth consecutive 2018 World Cup qualifying match, going down 1-2 to Turkmenistan here on Thursday.
India are at the bottom of of Group D without a point after four matches while Turkmenistan have four points from as many places to be placed just above India in the five team pool.
Guvanch Abylov put the home team ahead in the eighth minute. Jeje Lalpekhlua had brought India back in the match in the 28th minute. Arslanmyrat Amanow scored on the hour mark to settle the contest in favour of the hosts.
The Indian defence looked suspect and were vulnerable every time Turkmenistan played the long ball. They were slow to react and failed to anticipate their opponents’ moves.
India’s defensive back four struggled to stay together, forcing goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to produce several reflex action saves.
India didn’t offer much trouble to their opponents offensively. They were outnumbered and outmaneuvered throughout the match.
(IANS)