It was all Yemen in the first ten minutes of the match as India’s opponents dominated possession and kept threatening the Indian box. The Indian defence line however dealt with most of the danger, whilst Dheeraj Singh’s safe hand kept Yemen at bay. The young Colts grew in the match and in the 14th minute, Boris Singh beat his marking defender to run onto a vacant flank, only for his cross to go aloof of Rahim Ali’s head.

Four minutes later, Rahim Ali set up a shot for Amarjit from outside the box, but the latter could only shoot wide of the goal. In the 29th minute, Rahim Ali switched play and found Ninthoi on the flank, who released a pass for an onrushing Suresh Singh. Suresh, from outside the box, failed to test the Yemen custodian as the ball flew over the bar.

Also Read: Indian Women League Qualifiers schedule are out

Both teams defensive lines did a pretty good job as the half-time score line read 0-0. India had a glorious opportunity to take the lead early in the second half when Rahim Ali was released onto goal. With only the Yemen cutsodian to beat from a tight angle, Rahim Ali shot straight at the goalkeeper resulting in an easy save in the 46th minute.

Four minites later it was Abhishek Haldar’s attempt from inside the box that went inches past the goal after Suresh had found him with an inch perfect cross from the wings. In the 55th minute, Dheeraj Singh was called into action and the custodian did not disappoint as he made an acrobatic save to keep out Yemen.

India held the Yemen attacks at bay whilst started to dominate possession. Chances however became rare for both the teams as the end-to-end tempo resulted in neither getting a clear attempt at goal. At the end of time, nothing could separate the two teams as the full-time score line read 0-0.

With the draw India open its first point of the qualifiers campaign and are now set to face Turkmenistan in the final must win game on 8^th November.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more updates on Indian Football

The post India earn their first point in AFC U19 Qualifiers appeared first on Football Counter.

AFC U16 championship India schedule

AFC U19 championship India schedule

The draw for AFC U-16 and U-19 Championship 2018 qualifiers has been finalized. While the U-16 qualifiers are expected to be held during the month of September this year, the U-19 qualifiers would be held during the months of November after 2017 U17 World cup.

Indian youngsters were handed tough draws in both the qualifiers for the Under 16 and Under 19 editions of the AFC Asian Championship, which will be held in 2018. In the U16 edition, a tournament which India hosted last year, the Blue Colts have been placed in Group D alongside Iraq, Palestine and Nepal. The task is even tougher for the U19 side as they face Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Turkmenistan in Group D of the qualifiers.

Also Read: WIFA Youth Championship to kick-off from Today

In the U16 qualifiers, defending champions Iraq will be favourite to top the group, India will still stand a chance if they finish within the top 5 second best positions.  But while Palestine are the new side in the qualifiers, beating the home team Nepal will be a tricky situation, although India are expected to defeat them.

The U-19 draw for the team looks a tricky one as India will have to play hosts Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Turkmenistan. The core of the India U-19 team is expected to be formed by the current U-17 team which will play in 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which would be make it even trickier to finish at least in the second best position. India has not qualified for the AFC U19 Championship for more than 10 years now and that drought could very well be extended if we fail to qualify this year.

The post Indian colts handed tough draws for 2018 U-16 and U-19 AFC Championship qualifiers appeared first on Football Counter.