BAMBOLIM: India went down fighting 0-1 against Russia in their opening clash of the BRICS U-17 Football Tournament, while Brazil defeated China 2-0 earlier at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim, on Wednesday.
Lopatin Daniil’s third minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides in a match largely contested in the midfield, before Russia were reduced to 10 men in the second half, but stood strong to grab their first win of the BRICS U-17 Football Tournament.
The Russian team freshly on the back of participating in the UEFA Development Tournament took the lead as early as the 3rd minute when a scuffle inside the Indian penalty box led Spartak Moscow’s Lopatin Daniil to bash home.
After suffering a nervy start, the Indian colts looked comfortable in possession as the game progressed and in the 24th minute a Boris cross from the right flank flew whiskers away from Aniket. Had Boris found Aniket, the latter would have been straight onto the Russian goal.
India’s custodian Dheeraj Singh made some top class saves to keep India in the match as the Indian Colts went into the tunnel at the half-way point trailing by a solitary goal to nil, with Russian custodian Sangare David called into action only once as thwarted Boris Singh’s ferocious shot away in the 31st minute.
Russia were reduced to 10 men in the 50th minute when midfielder Umiarov Nail was sent off for a back lunge on Amarjit Singh. In hopes of taking advantage of an extra man, the Indian attack force launched wave after wave of attack.
In the 83rd minute, Komal Thatal’s curling shot from the edge of the Russian 18 yard box came agonizingly close to equalize the proceedings for India.
Despite Russia not registering a single shot on the Indian goal in the second half, the opponent defence did its job and stood strong to see off the match.
Earlier, Victor Gabriel scored the first goal of the tournament as Brazil defeated China 2-0.
Gabriel tapped home a cross from the right flank in the first minute itself to give Brazil the advantage, and set the tone for the remainder of the match – Brazil attacking, China defending.
Defender Vitor Matos’s goal in the second half secured the win for Brazil as Carlus Amadeu’s team take the pole position in the group.
Although China tried to stop the Brazilian attacking juggernaut, Wen Zhijun’s team could only drop deep in their defensive half in hopes of Brazil fluffing opportunities infront of goal. And that did happen.
In the 29th minute, Paul Sampaio dazzled past the Chinese defence line but could only rattle the woodwork with a ferocious shot.
Seven minutes later, medio Vinicius Oliviera tried to double Brazil’s lead but failed to apply the finishing touch as the half-time score line read 1-0 in Brazil’s favour.
In the 65th minute however, Brazil scored against the run of play as Vitor Matos headed the ball home.
