The Indian U22 national team has won practice matcha against a Delhi XI at the Ambedkar Stadium on Tuesday. The team coached by Australian Arthur Papas registered a 4-0 with Holicharan Narzary, Pritam Kotal and Lalrindika Ralte hitting the target for the Indian team.
The match was played in three thirds of 30 minutes each as Arthur Papas tried out different combinations. “The intention was to field as many players as possible,” Papas told after the match. “The boys have improved a lot in the nine days we have been together. We kept possession of the ball a lot better and at the same time we were able to switch from one end to the other with ease.”
Star striker Jeje Lalpekhlua has made his comeback after missing most of the season due to an injury. Jeje played the full last 30 minutes and Papas is aiming to get Jeje match fit step by step. “The idea was to keep Jeje on the field for at least 30 minutes. This was his first match in 6 months,” the coach told.
The India U22 team will leave Delhi on June 14 for a seven-day exposure camp in Dubai and continue the preparations for the AFC U22 Asian Cup scheduled to kick-off later in Muscat later this month.
The Indian team will face Lebanon in their first match on June 23.