AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The Indian U-17 World Cup Team, currently on an exposure trip in Europe, came from two goals down to play out a 2-2 draw against Portugal’s S.L. Benfica U-17 Team at the Seixal Stadium in Portugal today (April 27, 2017).

Jitendra and Shahajahan found the net for the Indian Colts late in the second half after two quick goals had put Benfica ahead.

Benfica dominated possession from the opening minutes of the match and amassed the majority of possession throughout the course of the match. The Indian Colts however played on the break in the early minutes and tried to catch the Benfica defence offguard.

The first chance of the match came in the 18^th minute when Jackson split the Benfica defence by releasing an accurate through ball for Rahul. With only the keeper to beat, Rahul failed to do justice to the chance and shot it astray.

Both Teams went into the tunnel at half-time on level pegging as the scoreline read 0-0.

Changing over and Rahul’s shot came close to taking the lead for India as it flew whiskers past the opponent goal in the 60^th minute. Although the Indian Colts tried hard to find a way past the Portuguese defence line, chances fostered were seldom taken.

However, Benfica proved to be clinical, infront of goal and two goals in two minutes gave them a healthy lead. The first of which came in the 73^rd minute when Sergio scored and a minute later Gomes found the net to make it 2-0 for Benfica.

In the 79^th minute, India pulled a goal back when Jitendra Singh headed the ball home from a Sanjeev free-kick to make the scoreline read 2-1. And Shahajahan’s shot crashed into the back of the Benfica net in the 85^th minute to level proceedings.

The Indian Colts pressed for the decisive goal to take the lead but with time their enemy and Benfica pouring bodies into defence, the Colts could not find the decisive goal. The full-time scoreline read 2-2.