India down Afghanistan 2-0 in their opening match

Dhaka, Apr 1 (UNI) A brace by Vimal Pariyar, who struck once in each half, enabled India begin their campaign with a 2-0 win against Afghanistan in the opening Group A match of the AFC Under-20 Challenge Cup in Chittagong today.

India dominated the proceedings from the start, but had to wait till the 35th minute to take the lead when Pariyar connected a Thokchom Bungo Singh pass and tapped the ball home.

Earlier, Pariyar's powerful shot in i9th minute beat the rival goalkeeper only to find the woodwork.

After the breather, Afghanistan regrouped and came back strongly, but wasted two easy chances. In the 52nd minute, Hafizullah Qadami missed a sitter on a cross from Mohammad Dalal Afshar and Qadami again failed to find the net 13 minutes later.

But, India colts settled the issue when Pariyar rose to the occasion once again and found the net in the 60th minute from a Xavier Vijay Kumar pass (2-0).

In other matches, Chinese Taipei piiped Philippines 1-0, while hosts Bangladesh beat Combodia 2-1 and Palestine thrashed Guam 11-0.

India play Philippines on April 3 and Chinese Taipei on April 5.

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