The asian
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India End Mandiri U20 Challenge Series With Defeat To Hosts Indonesia
Mandiri U20 Challenge Series: The India U20 men's team lost 0-4 to Indonesia in the last match of the Mandiri U20 Challenge Series at the Gelora Delta Stadium here on Thursday. The Blue Colts, touring with a much younger squad of 17 and 18-year-olds, ended the four-nation friendly tournament with three defeats. Earlier in the day, Syria beat Jordan 2-1 to win the tournament. All three opponents participated with players born in 2005 or later in preparation for next month's AFC U20 Asian Cup.
From Thursday's match, nine Indian players were part of the U17 squad that beat Indonesia U17 in Bali last August. However, up against a group of players two years senior to them, it was a totally different scenario this time around. The hosts got an early breakthrough in the fourth minute from a free-kick right on the edge of the box. Toni Firmansyah was able to squeeze a powerful shot under the wall and beyond a diving Karan Makkar.
Makkar wouldn't be beaten for the rest of the first half as he pulled off some marvellous saves. The most impressive ones were to deny Muhammad Ragil and Jens Raven in one-on-one situations inside the six-yard box.
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