AFC U-16: India held Saudi Arabia to a 3-3 draw

by Nancy Singh September 19, 2016

18 September 2016, Margao (Goa): In the second game of AFC U-16 Championship for India, they held Saudi Arabia to a 3-3 draw in the Group A match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao on September 18, 2016. The game saw two goals in the first 23 minutes and ended with three goals in the last 8 minutes with stress in between.

With a positive 2-1 scoreline for India till the 81st minute, Feras Tariq scored a brace in the 82nd and 83rd minute. Suresh Singh equalised for India in the extra time from a penalty shoot.

Calm Aniket Jadhav scored a left footer goal in the 6th minute, Komal Assists. Aman Chetri doubles the lead with a perfect finish in the 22nd minute courtesy of Boris’s sleek run which caused the three rival defenders bumping into each other.

Also, Read about the first match of India in AFC U-16 Championship against UAE: http://www.footballcounter.com/2016/23562/

In the first half, India was superior, faster and the much better side. But the back tends to fade and be tired. Saudi on the other side was physically strong.

Saudi Arabia came back in the game with Abdulaziz goal in the 34th minute heading in a Dhari Alanazi cross from in between the two Central defenders to give them a breather.

Nicolai brought in two substitutions in the second half– Lalengmawia replacing Aman and Ninthoi coming in for Aniket.

Struggling initially with Saudi taking away chances, India went on to increase the pace of the game with more confidence in the back.

At times when Komal Thattal had the ball upfront, he was outclassed. The Saudi boys were successful in pushing India back into their own half. There were miss passes and with Saudi Arabia winning most of the second balls, India evidently concentrated on holding the lead.

Feras Tariq brace helped Saudi overcome the lead. One in the 82nd minute and the other back heel goal in the 83rd minute. Saudi leading 3-2.

Very well defending from Saudi boys. Last chance for India with a penalty which was converted by Suresh Singh. India 3 Saudi Arabia 3.

The match so important for the young boys which gives them the chance to play for the qualification. A 3-2 loss in a row would have easily affected the young blues in the run. India was having a good day with positives and negatives to be taken care of. We are a team which is absent in the back but effective on the attacking front, need to capitalise on the positives to bring in results from the next game.

We play against Iran on 21st September.

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