BRICS U-17: India falls to late China winner

The Indian U-17 side lost 1-0 to China in the ongoing BRICS U-17 football tournament at the Athletic Stadium, in Bambolim, Goa on Tuesday. With this loss, India finds itself at the bottom of the group with zero points, while China sits fourth with four points.

The Chinese defence line kept the Indian attack force at bay and despite numerous attempts at goal, the Indian Colts were left reeling as it couldn't convert any chances.

The Indian U-17 side lost 1-0 to China in the ongoing BRICS U-17 football tournament at the Athletic Stadium, in Bambolim, Goa on Tuesday.

With this loss, India finds itself at the bottom of the group with zero points, while China sits fourth with four points.

The opening minutes of the match turned into a cagey affair in midfield as both teams vied for possession, with neither emerging on top. With China defusing much of the Indian attacks from the flanks, the colts resorted to tacky passing in the midfield.

In the 21st minute, Komal Thatal was found on the edge of the Chinese 18-yard box by a Boris pass, but the former could only manage to lob the ball over the Chinese custodian and over the Chinese goal, as India pressed for a goal.

Two minutes later, Boris beautifully nutmegged his marking player in the Chinese box, but failed to control the resulting ball. With the Indian defence mopping up much of the Chinese attacks, the first big chance for China came in the 28th minute from a free-kick, but Dheeraj’s strong fists thwarted the ball away for a corner.

Three minutes before half-time Amarjit darted towards the final third and a flailing Chinese body somehow thwarted his venomous shot, as both teams went into the break goalless.

Dheeraj was once again called into action minutes into the second half and the lanky custodian proved vital between the sticks as he denied China twice from close range.

Head coach Nicolai Adam shuffled his pack and introduced a fresh pair of legs – Narendar for Aniket Jadhav – to up the attacking ante. In the 67th minute substitute Shubham Sarangi missed a header from close range, but the referee had already flagged the medio for offside to halt proceedings.

The Chinese defence line kept the Indian attack force at bay and despite numerous attempts at goal, the Indian Colts were left reeling as it couldn't convert any chance. This proved to be costly as China scored late in the game to snatch three points.