The India U-17 national football team. (Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)
The India U-17 World Cup Squad went down fighting 0-2 against the Norway U-16 National Team in Norway on Wednesday (June 29, 2016).
After the Indian colts were reduced to ten men in the 54th minute when Sanjeev earned a second yellow card for a rash tackle, Norway took the lead in the 57th minute through Erling Braut Haland and doubled their lead in the 80th minute when Erik Botheim’s strike found the net.
In a match largely contested in the midfield, the Indian U-17 national team fostered goal-scoring opportunities but were unable to convert them. In the 16th minute Aniket dribbled past his marker and released a cross which flashed infront of the goalkeeper, but unavailability of men in the 18 yard box left the cross begging.
In the 25th minute, Komal had a golden opportunity to put India in the lead had he struck the ball home and not straight down the keeper’s throat, after latching onto a Boris through ball.
After a goalless first half, Sanjeev was red-carded in the 54th minute and India were reduced to ten men. The Indian colts failed to equalize after conceding goals in the 57th and 80th minute as the full-time scoreline read 2-0 in favour of Norway.
(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)