AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: India U-16 boys start their preparatory exposure trip to Qatar on a winning note as they overpowered their Qatari counterpart by 1-0 in their first friendly match played at the Aspire Academy ground tonight (September 3, 2017). Lalrokima, who was introduced in the second half by coach Bibiano Fernandes, scored the solitary goal of the match to clinch the victory against the hosts.

Both teams started the game cautiously, preferring to hold the possession rather going all-out in the attack. Indians came very close to open the scoreline time and again but the resilient Qatari defenders thwarted their every single effort. AFter the half-hour mark, Givson fired a bullet from inside the box but the goalie parried with it at ease.

Both teams headed to the dressing room locked at a nil-nil scoreline.

After the resumption, Bibiano Fernandes opted to introduce the fresh pair of legs of Lalrokima at the expense of Ravi. Eventually, the super-sub proved to be the match-winner who scored the winner in the 75th minute.

Qatar tried their heart out later to find the back of the net but Indian defence line proved too hard to get breached.

India U-16 boys are scheduled to play their next friendly game against Al-Sadd U-16 Team on September 10, 2017.