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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The tournament is a U-17 tourney where India is fielding their U-16 team as part of their preparation for the AFC U-16 finals slated to be held in September 2018.

Goalkeeper Biaka was pressed into action early on as he made a save in the 2nd minute itself, after which it was all India as the boys pressed forward. Givson’s free-kick was stopped by the goalie while Sailo missed the target narrowly.

Finally, in the 24th minute India took the lead as midfielder Ricky John Shabong passed to Rohit Danu who finished it off in style. Two minutes later Danu doubled the lead. This time from Bekey Oram’s ball, thereby giving India a 2-0 lead heading into half-time.

Givson earned a free-kick early on after the break but his shot was once again kept out. Later on, substitute Harpreet came on and immediately found himself with a couple of chances but he was unable to convert them into goals.

Ridge Melvin added to the tally with his goal in the 71st minute after rattling the crossbar a minute earlier. However, Singapore pulled one back from the spot in the 82nd minute but there was no late drama as the Indian defence stood tall later on to end the game 3-1.

The boys next play Hong Kong in their last match of the tournament tomorrow (March 25, 2018)

Also Read: Supremo Chashak’s Zonal Football Tournament from 22nd April

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The Indian U-16 Team had been the toast of the Nation qualifying to the AFC U-16 Final Malaysia 2017 earlier in September where they were held defending AFC U-16 Champions Iraq in their final match to qualify. Even as the contingent were granted leave to go back to their respective hometowns after staying at the AIFF Academy in Goa for over a year, Rohit Danu, Ravi Rana Bahadur, Gurkirat Singh and Ricky John Shabong preferred to stay back, all to watch the Indian Senior Team take on Myanmar in Goa on November 14.

“Its holiday time and everyone has gone back home. But, I couldn’t let this opportunity go out of my hand. So I preferred to stay back,” Rohit Danu quipped while watching the Indian Senior Team’s practice session at the majestic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.

Also Read: I’m ready to offer Chhetri a Myanmar passport: Myanmar Head Coach Zaise

“We have represented India at the U-16 level but my ultimate dream stays to represent my Country at the senior level. I know I need to work harder for that but right now, I can only feel it watching Sunil Bhaiya and others,” Rohit sounded emotional.

Post-practice the gesture from the senior boys floored the teenagers. Right from Stephen Constantine to Sunil Chhetri to Sandesh Jhingan to Subrata Paul, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Pritam Kotal, Anas Edathodika amongst others, almost everyone walked up to them to have a chat and even posed for pictures.

“Everyone dreams of donning the National colours but only they (pointing to the Senior Team) have managed to make it. We hope we can emulate them too,” goalkeeper Gurkirat Singh stated.

Ravi Rana Bahadur, the swift left-winger stayed mesmerised watching Bikash Jairu and Jackichand Singh from a distance. “I have seen them unleashing cutting-edge through balls from the wings time and again. Even after a flight journey earlier in the day they still had so much energy left with them and their crosses are so perfect,” Ravi’s eyes lit up.

Ricky John Shabong, the Meghalaya-based defensive medio expressed that he’s looking forward to ‘learning new skills of controlling the game from the midfield’. “Lyngdoh-bhai is from Meghalaya and I have seen him playing myriad times. I always follow him closely to polish my skills. He stays so calm on the field,” Ricky said.

Also Read: In Europe, the goals against Myanmar & Kyrgyz Republic could have been talking points: Constantine

Meanwhile, Bibiano Fernandes, Coach Indian U-16 National Team who was busy scouting for next year’s AFC U-16 Finals mentioned that watching the Senior Team train and play in Goa is an “excellent opportunity.”

“It’s always good to see the senior team in front of your eyes. It provides the boys as well as the coaching staffs a brilliant opportunity to learn so many things. We’re eagerly waiting to see the action on November 14 and on the behalf of the entire U-16 squad, we wish the Senior Team all the very best.”

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In the evenly contested first half, it was India that had the first shy on goal when captain Harpreet singh’s on target attempt was easily collected by Alsadd goalkeeper. At the end Alsadd FC too looked comfortable on the ball giving some tense moments for Indian defence. However In the 37^th minute, India took the lead courtesy Thoiba, a long corner from Givson Singh was smartly converted by Thoiba to make it 1-0 in favour of visitors.

Soon Alsadd began attacking more aggressively, in search of equaliser and finally in the 40^th minute they struck back to make it level pegging as both teams entered the break. The second half began with Indian coach Bibiano looking to make tactical changes replacing keeper Jongte with Manik and then bringing in Ravi in place of Lalrokima few minutes later.

Also Read: Kenkre FC to conduct trials for U-18 side

Seven minutes into the second half, Indian team had a chance to take the lead when the referee ordered a spot kick for visitors. However the chance went amiss after Vikram’s shot couldn’t beat the Alsadd keeper. Despite the miss, India looked in control of the proceeding, earning some slew of corners as the host defence was kept on toes. Despite the attempts Indians failed to break the Alsadd defence as Coach Bibiano ringed in more changes bringing in Harpreet, Ridge and Eric in place of Vikram, Ricky, Gurukirat.

As the game progressed to injury time, Super-sub Harpreet Rulbir hit the net to make it 2-1 and give India a huge advantage, however minute later of the goal, Harpreet Singh was given a marching order after conceding a foul inside his own box.  As the referee gave the spot-kick, alsadd made no mistake in converting it as the game ended with sharing of spoils.

Indian U16 2 – 2 Alsadd SC U16

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With the last spot guaranteed, India went into the game to salvage some pride going up against one of the power house of world football, Brazil. Hosts India produced a spirited fight before losing 1-3 to tournaments favorites Brazil in their last match of the BRICS U-17 football tournament in Bambolim on Friday.

It looked like another Brazil Dominating affair, when in the second minute of the match Brazil went 1-0 up through Silva’s powerful shot from outside the box defeating the Indian keeper.

With a goal down, the Indian colts started attacking with intent in search of an equalizer and were soon rewarded when in the 19^th minute, Indian forward Komal Thatal dribbling past two defender curled shot from the left flank in to the net as the score went 1-1. But India’s joy was soon cut short with Brazil regaining the lead at half hour mark through Marcos Santos’s strike.

A minute later, India were soon denied a penalty appeal when Komal was brought down inside the Brazilian box. The Indian colts picked themselves up as the match progressed and went in to the break trailing Brazil 1-2.

Also Read: ISL 3: Defending Champions sinks FC Goa to third defeat in a row

Second half started with the ball mostly seeing the midfield.  In the 66th minute, India colts had a golden chance when substitute Joysana Singh got clear off his marker and burst onto goal cutting inside the Brazil box, Joysana instead of going for a shoot, he tried to find an onrushing Aman Chetri but with a weak pass was easily intercepted by Brazilian defence as the chance went abegging.

Ten minutes later, Joysana Singh tried a shot from outside the box but it went inches wide. In the 82nd minute, on the counter Brazil once again scored through Oliviera to make it 3-1 and finish off the match.

In the earlier game between, South Africa stunned Russia, defeating 3-1 to take on Brazil in the final. Lyle Foster, Mswati Mavuso and Luke Le Roux Scored for South Africa, while Skrobotov Ilia scored for the Russia. Russia will now meet fourth placed China for a third place playoff match on October 15^th, while South Africa face Brazil on the same day.

Scores:

India U16 1 (Komal Thatal 19’) – 3 Brazil U16 (Silva 2’, Santos 30’, Oliviera 82’)

South Africa U16 3 (Lyle Foster 19’, Mswati Mavuso 54’, Luke Le Roux 82’) -1 Russia U16 (Skrobotov Ilia 45+1’)

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Having lost all three games, India are at the bottom of the Group with zero points, while China moved to fourth after four points thanks to a draw against South Africa and a win against the home side. India now play Brazil in the last game of the group stage in what will be the last outing for the home team in the first ever BRICS tournament.

The game started with both teams playing it cautiously, a win over one another would have ensured a high probability for the winning side to get a game for the third place playoff. In the 21^st minute, India were presented with an golden opportunity thanks to a Boris pass that found Komal Thatal at the edge of the Chinese box. But the Indian forward’s lob ball was a little too high as it fail to go inside the net.

On the other hand, china came close to scoring through a free kick in the 28^th minute, which was dodged away for a corner by Indian goalkeeper Dheeraj. The first half ended at 0-0 as neither team managed any good attacking move.

Early in the second half, Dheeraj came to India’s rescue, when he twice denied the Chinese colts from close range. Looking for that decisive goal, Indian Coach Nicolai Adams brought in fresh legs with Narendar coming in for Aniket Jadhav. Indian colts repeatedly forayed in to the opponent’s box with numerous chances on goal but couldn’t manage to break the Chinese defence.

In the final moments of Injury time, the Chinese managed to sneek in a goal through Huang Cong, as India suffered their third 1-0 defeat of the tournament. In the other game of the day, Brazil hammered South Africa 3-0.

The Indian team is now bottom placed with zero points in its pocket and will now face Table toppers Brazil on 13^th in the final group game of the tournament.

Scores:

India U16 0 – 1 China U16 (Huang Cong 90+6’)

Brazil U16 3 (Rodrigo Bertalia 7^’, Leanardo Alves 75’, Jose oliveira 82’) – 0 South Africa U16

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The game witnessed an end-to-end contest, with both teams creating numerous chances in the first half an hour. But it was South Africa that went ahead midway through the first half with a brilliant header from Radzilani to a foster’s cross that gave Indian custodian Dheeraj no chance.

India went close number of times, around 40^th minute Komal and Sanjeev smartly opened up space in the middle before laying the ball off to Aniket, who beat his marker, dribbled past a couple of challenges before taking a shot that got blocked out for a corner.

With South Africa putting plenty of last minutes tackles India failed to take the lead and went into the break trailing by a goal.

Off the pitch, while the broadcasting quality of the tournament has been criticized, lack of sensibility was visible among the TV presenter at the ground as we saw India coach Nicolai Adams giving Interviews at the break instead of motivating his team in the dugout.

India dominated in the start of the second half as well, with Aman Chhetri nearly scoring from South African keeper’s fumbling error in the 53^rd minute.On the other hand the Indian keeper was absolutely fantastic, making a couple of crucial saves to keep India in the game.

Also Read: BRICS U-17 Cup: 10 man Russia edge past a resilient Indian team, Brazil breeze past China

The hosts continued to apply heavy pressure but failed to get anything. The home team was guilty of not converting their chances at the final third. Around the 84^th minute an unmarked Abhijit was provided with a golden opportunity only to be flagged offside. By the end, India managed to get numerous free Kicks as South African started time wasting and putting everything on the line to defend their slender one goal lead in the process giving away fouls and picking up cards.

In the injury time, India gave all out with almost all the outfield players in the attacking third, but South Africa put in some fantastic blocks to deny India a goal and hold on for the win.

Earlier in the day, Russia’s hammered China 4-1 to go top of the table. A dominant display was in witness as Russia made merry of their opponent to score four past them before an injury time penalty for china helped them to restore some parity.

Scores: India U16 0 – 1 South Africa U16 (Radzilani)

Russia U16 4 – 1 China U16

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