India got its MU-15 Tournament off with a 0-3 defeat at the hands of USA in its opening match at Palmanova, Italy on Sunday.
Austin Brummet converted a penalty at the beginning of second half to put USA into the lead, before Carlos Cortez and Osvaldo Cisneros scored two more in the last 10 minutes.
The 70-minute match was a tale of two halves as India went close through Maheson Singh from a free-kick in the 20th minute.
Maheson was involved in yet another close chance for India a couple of minutes later, but his shot was blocked this time. India goalkeeper Ayush Deshwal made a smart save minutes before the half-time whistle to keep the scores at 0-0.
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USA got off the blocks swiftly in the second half, winning a penalty that was smartly converted by Brummet.
Maheson had the perfect chance to put India back on level terms on the 61st minute, but his close-range free-kick flew just inches wide of the post.
Carlos Cortez scored a peach of a goal in the 63rd minute, when he curled it directly from the corner and into the Indian goal. Indian goalkeeper Deshwal had no chance, as it sailed into the top corner.
The three points for USA were eventually secured with just seconds left on the clock, when Cisneros made it 3-0 for the Americans. India will next face-off against Mexico on Monday at the same venue.
India Starting XI: A Deshwal (GK), Rajan Soren, Abdul Hannan, Halen Singh, Ashu, Amosa Laldung, Tatanbi Singh, Eric Lalsang (C), Himanshu Jangra, Aula Siba, Maheson Singh.
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