There was heartbreak in store for India as they were beaten 2-3 by Tajikistan in the final round-robin encounter in the Asian Football Confederation Under-17 qualifying tournament, thus losing out on an opportunity to appear at the continental championship in Singapore next September.
A valiant second half performance by the Indians, highlighted by goals from Arjun Tudu and Khangembamthoi Singh, was not enough as they paid the penalty for some lackluster defending in the first 45 minutes.
Three goals in the space of 15 minutes effectively sealed the Indians' fate. Though they put in a better display in the second half, they had left themselves with a bit too much of catching up to do.
The match started at a fast tempo with the Tajiks showing considerable improvement from their display against Pakistan a couple of days back.
Both sides showed attacking endeavour but lacked finishing. India's hero against Pakistan, Khangembamthoi Singh was closely marked by the Tajik defenders. But the Manipuri lad created the first chance when he ran through the rival defence in the 11th minute only to shoot into the grateful arms of custodian Murodov Mirali.
Midfielder Lalawmzuala was then brought down at the edge of the Tajik 18-yard box but Lalramluaha found the keeper with the resulting free-kick.
But the Tajiks, who used the aerial ball to take advantage of their height and build, got a chance when Karaev Ulugbek, who got the winner against Pakistan, got into a one-on-one situation with 'keeper Susai Agustine.
However, the keeper was up to the task on the occasion.
But Ulugbek was not to be denied in the 28th minute when he headed in a corner from the left flank to take the lead.
The goal made the Central Asians all the more menacing and they launched repeated raids into Indian territory before captain Shohzukhurov Samad doubled the lead from a free-kick from just outside the box five minutes later.
India were missing injured skipper Hira Lal Chetre as the Tajiks took control in midfield.
They went three goals ahead in the 43rd minute when Ulugbek latched on to a long clearance from the Tajik defence and shot home from just inside the box.
Worried at the lack of width in the Indian team, coach Islam Akhmedov brought on Satish Kumar in place of Mohammed Moazzam, the captain for the day.
That brought bite into Indian attacks as they started creating more chances.
There were heated moments also as the Tajiks reacted to a tackle by Lalwmzuala on Yusupov Buzurgmekhr.
Indians were thrown a lifeline when Tudu scored off a cross from Satish in the 74th minute.
Regaining belief, they went on the attack and five minutes later Thoi profited from a fumble by the goalkeeper to tap the ball home.
That caused the spectators at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, who had lost hope, to regain their voices, thus creating a wonderful atmosphere for the last few minutes.
But that was not enough as a free-kick from Lalramluaha was tipped over by the keeper.
The Tajiks held on for the last few minutes to send their supporters and officials into raptures.
More from rediff