AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The Indian U-17 World Cup Squad lost 2-1 to Portuguese Club Team Belenenses at the Jamor Stadium in Portugal today (April 25, 2017) in their second practice match of the exposure trip to Europe.

The Portuguese opponents scored two quick goals in the second half to clinch the game after India had taken the lead through Rahim Ali in the 35^th minute.

After the opening minutes of the match resulted in a tightly contested affair in the midfield, it were the Indian U-17 World Cup Team that created the first goal scoring opportunity. In the 29^th minute, Aniket Jadhav failed to tap the ball home from close distance after Shajahan’s head found him clear of the defensive mix in the box.

However the Colts did little waiting and six minutes later Rahim Ali’s thumping header off a corner kick found the back of the net as India surged into the lead. The Colts had an opportunity to double their goal scoring tally in the 41^st minute, but Aniket could not take advantage of Ali’s defence splitting pass. The half-time scoreline read 1-0 in India’s favour.

Changing over, the Portuguese opponents struck the woodwork in the 58^th minute and came close to equalizing proceedings again in the 60^th minute but the Indian defence thwarted them away.

The Portuguese opponents however found the net in the 70^th minute when Castro blasted the ball home after a defensive lapse. In the 77^th minute, Castro once again sprung into the Indian box and netted the ball to give the opponents a 2-1 lead.

The Indian Colts pressed for the equalizer but chances fostered were not taken and the full-time scoreline read 2-1 in Belenenses’s favour.