Hong Kong, Jan 14 (IANS) India suffered a last-minute goal to go down fighting Hong Kong 1-2 in a friendly match here Wednesday.
India started off on an aggressive note and kept the opponents defence at the back foot.
They never allowed Hong Kong to dominate the game as the first half was played more in the opponents half.
After the goalless first half, Hong Kong's midfielder Yiu Chung scored in the 70th minute to give his team a 1-0 lead following a powerful 25-yard free kick found the back of the net to surprise India custodian Subrata Paul.
But India fought back and in the 80th minute Baichung Bhutia scored the equaliser. Mahesh Gawli sent across to Climax Lawrence on top of box and Lawrence allowed the ball to reach to the Indian skipper who turned and netted the ball to the far post.
India managed to hold on till the last minute before Ng Wai Chui scored the winner in the 94th minute. Chui got the ball on top of the six yard box and had no problems in converting it.
National coach Bob Houghton said his team failed to capitalise on the chances.
'It never looked like we were going to lose the match but the last minute goal was something that changed it. It was a very useful game and the boys played well. If we could have capitalised on the chances then we should have certainly won the game.'
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