There was no score at half time. India must blame themselves for the draw. Brazil enjoyed the better ball possession and share of chances and created many openings especially in the opening session.
They created a scare in the early moments but India India goalkeeper Melroy Fernandes was equal to the task to take good care of Paulo Paz’s chip.
However, it was visitors who could have surged in the 15th minute but Paulo Paz failed to connect Adriano Reas’ cross from the right.
On the other hand, India had only one chance but Chinta Chandrshekar’s shot deflected from the rival defenders after Alber Gonsalves free kick.
Brazil had two more chances to break the deadlock. First Lucas Lis feeble shot went straight into the safe hands of goalkeeper Melroy and later Alberto Lvcena header went out from a close range.
Post resumption, India breached Brazil defence many times and breakthrough came in the 39th minute when striker Joshua Vaz slotted past the rival goalkeeper with snap shot off Alber Gonsalves pass.
With the lead, India intensified their attacks and doubled the lead in the 49th minute when substitute Jaganath D punted the ball to the far corner of the net.
Fans turned out in large numbers were kept in good spirit as India showed flair in their attacks. After taking the 2-0 cushion, India relaxed a bit and allowed their opponents to launch barrage of attacks and in the 59th minute Lucas’ well executed free kick from outside the rival penalty box hit the post and rolled into the net.
After the reducer, Brazil were desperate to find the equalizer and their efforts bore the fruit when Alberto capitalized on the defence spitting pass from Adriano to put his team on equal terms. They had couple of chances to wrap up the match but their players spurn chances.
Archbishop Felipe Nerri Ferrao, who was the chief guest, declared the tournament open in the presence of GFA President Elivs Gomes and Director of Pope John Paul Foundation for Sports Kennedy D’Silva. The match was reduced to 35 minutes each.
Earlier, in the opening ceremony Hema Sardessai, Sonia Shirsat and Braz Gonsalves enthralled the crowd with their melodious voices while the band Faith set the tone for the evening as they brought the ground to life with singing religious hymns.
