BRICS U-17 tournament: Spirited India go down fighting against South Africa

Bambolim, Oct 7: Indian football team on Friday (Oct 7) suffered their second defeat after going down fighting 0-1 against South Africa in the first BRICS U-17 tournament at the GMC Stadium here.

South Africa warded off a strong Indian challenge especially in the second half as they scored a solitary goal to open their campaign on a winning note.

Thus South Africa opened their account with three points, while the Indians who had lost to Russia in their opening match are yet to open their account. The flee-footed South African who looked far more fitter than the home team scored the all important goal in the 22nd minute through Ndamolelo Radzilani to help them to collect full points.

Both the teams played attacking games and matched each other in both the sessions. The African who arrived late last night did not show any sign of fatigue as they moved the ball with quick short passes followed by overhead passes that caught the Indian defence napping as they conceded a goal in the 22nd minute.

South Africa manage to register a slender win over the hosts tonight. hard luck for our boys. #RSAvIND #BRICSU17 #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/SiNmT5V2ff

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 7, 2016

Lyle Foster who showed lot of agility made a quick run down on the left and send a high cross into the home team defence where the entire Indian defence was beaten and the tall Ndamolelo Radzilani who followed the ball got the better of his marker to head the ball into the net.

India made inroads into the rival box with quick short passes but their moves somehow fizzled out as they could not get past the tall and robust defenders who kept the Indians striker at bay.

Coach Nicolai Adam pep talk after the break propelled the home team to attack the rival defence with more vigour but once again they could not get the elusive equaliser.

That's how the Points table shaped up after the second matchday as @TeamRussia lead the table with 6 points. #BRICSU17 pic.twitter.com/mz1QacsR2Y

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 7, 2016

It was the South African who looked more dangerous as they came with counter moves and Sithembiso nearly increased the lead in the 58th minute but his well directed shot in the goal was palmed away by India's keeper Dheeraj Singh.

The Indians attacked towards the end in search of the equaliser but it was the visitors who nearly scored in the dying minutes when Nikanyiso Shinga who received the ball on top of the box sprinted down and after entering the box let go a firm left footer which Indian keeper Dheeraj Singh saved with a dive.

PTI