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[caption id="attachment_10478" align="alignnone" width="580"] India lost to Turkmenistan 2-1. Image Source: File Pic[/caption] Internet Desk: India suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Turkmenistan in the final Asian WC qualifying match in Kochi on Tuesday. Sandesh Jhingan (27') opened the scoring but goals from Amanov Arslan (49') and Atayev Serdarli (70') saw the away side emerge victorious. India began with a 5-4-1 formation. Stephen Constantine made three changes to the side that lost 4-0 to Iran. Arnab Mondal, Cavin Lobo and Pritam Kotal replaced Holicharan Nazary, the injured duo of Bikash Jairu and Aibor Khongjee in the starting line-up. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan made six alterations to their team having travelled with a much changed squad. India began well in the first half keeping as much as ball possession in their half by playing through the ground and denying the aerial ball as much as they could. Arslan cut in from the right and forced Gurpreet into action in the 18 minute before going on a wonderful run two minutes later to win a penalty. The Turkmenistan skipper found space in the left and went past two blue shirts with ease as he advanced into the box where he was brought down by a clumsy challenge from Pritam Kotal. The defender was brandished a yellow card for his troubles and would've been the most relieved man in the stadium to see Arslan put the spot-kick wide with Gurpreet diving the right way. India earned a free-kick in the right flank. Narayan Das floated in a cross in the 27th minute from the set-piece and Sandesh Jhingan met it with a towering header that dipped in off the underside of the crossbar to give India the lead. Arslan was the most threatening of the Turkmenistan players and he restored parity four minutes into the second period. Didar Durdiyev's cross to the far post was comfortably headed in by the skipper to make it 1-1. In the second-half, Turkmenistan made thorough attacks in the Indian half. India struggled to create a clear-cut opportunity after the break and it was the visiting team that took the lead in the 70th minute. Substitute Atayev Serdarali made a mockery of the Indian defense as he left two or three on their backsides before seeing his low drive find the back of the net. Satyesen Singh who was brought in as a substitute and in the 82nd minute he made a first real attempt to goal. He went on a fine run down the right before rifling a shot at goal which was tipped over the bar by the visiting custodian. Jeje Lalpekhlua was largely unseen throughout the game and failed to keep his effort on target from a Pritam Kotal cross in the 85th minute. Cavin Lobo was the only player in the field who looked hungry and made some valuable attempts. In one word, Lobo was the one to operate the midfield. The game ended 2-1 in favour of the away side as India finished their World Cup qualifying campaign with just three points in Group D.