Atlético Paranaense U-17 International Tournament: India U16 v Orlando City SC (Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)
The India U-16 national team started their campaign in the Atlético Paranaense U-17 International Tournament on a bitter note as they went down fighting against the U-17 team of MLS side Orlando City SC by 0-1 on Monday.
India started on a high note and they earned an early corner, which was seen off by the opposition defenders. In the 4th minute of the match, Orlando City SC got a corner but Boris Singh tamed the onrushing striker to turn the danger down.
The Indian attackers turned the game in their favour and Ninthoi came very close to open the scorebook within the first 15 minutes, but his shot was grabbed by the goalie.
Both teams went to the changing room without any difference between them.
After the changeover, Orlando SC found the back of the net from a tethering counter-attacking move in the 47th minute.
Three minutes later, Nicolai Adam introduced Md. Nawaz at the expense of Dheeraj Singh, the first choice goalkeeper who received huge applauds for his exploits in the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016.
Towards the end of the game, Abhijit and Joysana were also introduced by the coach to instil more vigour into the attacking third. In the added minutes, he tried his final ace in form of Shubham Sarangi to find the elusive equaliser.
In the added minutes, India got successive four corners but the team from the United States could not be perturbed until the final whistle.
India will face the host Atlético Paranaense U-17 at the same venue today at 23.30 IST.
(AIFF Media Report & Photo)