The Indian U22 national team has been held to a 2-2 draw by a combined Africa XI at Dubai on Saturday. Midfielders Lalrindika Ralte and Tirthankar Sarkar scored for the Indian U22 team.

The Indian team is currenty getting ready for the upcoming AFC U22 Asian Cup Qualifiers and the match was part of the preparations for the tournament in Muscat.

Head Coach Arthur Papas used a total of 18 players in the match which was played at Al Wasl’s training ground. The Afica XI comprised of players from Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Cameroon, who have come to Dubai to appear in trials for various clubs in the United Arab Emirates.

“It is a good result against a very tough opposition,” said Papas. “The positive part stays the boys are improving.”

“We wanted to play at 17.00 local time as that’s the time when our first match against Lebanon kicks-off. The temperature was 39 degrees,” the coach told.

“We will play another practice match on Tuesday. The squad has so far stayed away from injuries and we need to take care of ourselves,” Papas concluded.