India U-16 national team (Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)
The Al-Sadd SC U-16s scored from the 12-yard penalty spot to clinch a last-gasp 2-2 stalemate against the valiant India U-16 national team who went ahead twice, thanks to Thoiba (36′) and Harpreet (91′) but the hosts showed true character to come back from behind to steal a draw from the Indians’ grasp eventually.
Indians started tonight where they left the last night against the Qatar U-16 National Team. Harpreet smacked a long-ranger but it was well-taken by the goalie at the end.
Bibiano’s boys went ahead in the 36th minute as Thoiba converted the long corner by Givson Singh. But India’s joy were cut short by the hosts within four minutes and both teams headed towards the dressing room locked at a 1-1 scoreline.
After the resumption, Bibiano opted to test his second goalkeeper Manik who replaced Jongte. Ravi also joined the fray at the expense of Lalrokima before the hour-mark.
The referee ruled a penalty against the hosts but Vikram squandered the opportunity as the goalie grabbed it easily.
Indians came very close to scoring another goal but the Al-Sadd defenders kept them at bay.
Eventually, the super-sub Harpreet who replaced Gurkirat six minutes to the end of the regulation time, stunned the hosts having scored another goal in the 90th minute.
The football-god might have thought other way around as Al-Sadd SC earned a penalty in the added time and they did no mistake to convert it to leave the ground sharing the pie with their Indian counterpart.
India will play their last match of the exposure trip to Qatar against Al-Duhail SC on September 15, 2017, before they leave for Nepal to ply their trade in the AFC U-16 Championship Qualifiers.
(AIFF Media)