India began their AFC U-19 Championship qualifying campaign on a disappointing note, losing 0-2 in their opening group match to Qatar in Doha on Friday night. Akram Hassan scored from the spot in the 60th minute after the hosts enjoyed a good spell of 15 minutes at the beginning of the second half. Substitute Abdullah made it 2-0 in the 89th minute. “I am disappointed with the result but not the performance,” said India coach Colm Toal at the post-match press conference. “The first 15 minutes in the second half turned the game on its head. I should congratulate the Qatari coach for changing tactics at the right time and playing more direct. That worked for them,” he added. If the second half belonged to Qatar, the first half was dominated by the Indians. Germanpreet Singh impressed on both the flanks as he fed Kumam Udanta Singh on the right in 23rd minute. India play Nepal on Sunday in their second match.
