Chennai: India crashed out of the 2008 Beijing Olympics men's football competition with a 0-2 defeat to North Korea in a qualifying match on Wednesday.
With this, the third consecutive defeat at the qualifying phase, India are out of the under-23 tournament of the Games. The team had earlier lost 0-3 to Iraq and 0-1 to Thailand.
It was an improved performance by India, but two outstanding goals by Nom Chal (58th minute) and Su Hyok (70th) in the second half put the final nail in India's coffin.
India, who are currently ranked 165th in the world, matched the 140th ranked North Koreans to an extent in the first half, which was goalless at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
India captain N S Manju led by example in the defence in the first half and cramped the rival forwards for space in the box even as North Korea came close to scoring on a few occasions.
North Korea finally drew the first blood when a powerful long ranger by Chol tipped goalkeeper Subrata Pal's fingers on its way into the net.
A goal-line clearance by Manju found an unmarked Chol just outside the box and the North Korean forward unleashed a powerful left footer into the net. The whole Indian defence was taken by surprise as Pal made a valiant but failed attempt to stop the ball.
The score line would have been increased in the 68th minute, but a brilliant attempt by Pal thwarted Chol's penalty shot, awarded following an illegitimate push by Manju on Chol in the box.
North Korea eventually make it 2-0 when Hoyk received a good pass just outside the box and sent powerful long ranger that touched the left post on its way into the net.
The goal dashed India's hope of qualifying for Beijing.
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