After the Indian U-16 National Team made a strong statement beating Jordan in the opening fixture of the four-nation International Tournament in Serbia, Coach Bibiano Fernandes felt the victory will give the boys the “much-needed confidence” before the AFC U16 Championship in September later this year.

“Although we conceded an early goal the boys came back strongly to dominate the first-half and score two. We are getting better with every match. The boys have started believing in themselves and that is crucial before the real test in Malaysia,” Bibiano told www.the-aiff.com

The U-16 colts came back from behind to beat Jordan 2-1 in their first match of the four-nation International tournament which also features hosts Serbia and a strong Tajikistan.

The exposure tour is a part of the preparatory process and has been organised by All India Football Federation along with the Sports Authority of India and intends to prepare the boys in the best possible fashion for the AFC U-16 finals.

“Jordan qualified to the AFC U-16 finals as the group champions and they are one of the top footballing nations in Asia. Moreover, they are also touted to be one of the strongest contenders to qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup next year,” Bibiano mentioned.

India next face hosts Serbia in their next outing of the four-nation International tournament tomorrow (May 11, 2018), the kick-off of which is slated for IST 10.30pm.

– Courtesy AIFF Media

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Courtesy the result, an unbeaten India finished their engagements with 5 points from 3 matches and now wait for engagements in other groups to finish across other venues (all over Asia) to find out if whether they have made it to the AFC U-16 Finals by virtue of being the best second-placed Team across 10 groups.

Meanwhile, Iraq who finished their engagements with 7 points from 3 matches have already booked a ticket to the AFC U-16 Finals slated to be held next year.

Knowing that only a victory would enable them a ticket to the AFC U-16 Finals, India started on a positive note and should have surged into the lead as early as the 6th minute itself but the swift Bekey despite sneaking in from the flanks, could not get the power behind his shot and the Iraqi goalkeeper managed to save it.

The Indians played with more purpose even as the Iraqis relied on their physical superiority to seize it in the midfield. In the 42nd minute, Vikram made another robust move but Ricky shot straight to the rival Goalkeeper as both teams headed to the interval locked goalless.

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Following the restart, Bekey got perhaps the easiest chance of the match when at the hour mark; he had the rival Goalkeeper at his mercy from a hand-shaking distance. But he couldn’t finish it off. Two minutes later, Ravi flashed another cross from the left flank but it bounced out.

Coach Bibiano Fernandes introduced the fresh pair of legs of Harpreet in the 76th minute. Six minutes later Harpreet, with a solo effort barged in but the goalkeeper wasn’t to be beaten.

India went all out thereafter but Iraq were more content to stabilise their defence as they increased numbers at the back. The Indian colts tried hard Iraq managed to hold on.

– courtesy AIFF media

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