AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The India U-16 boys presently preparing for the FIFA 2017 U-17 World Cup went down fighting to Redbull Salzburg U-16 Team 2-3 in Salzburg on Thursday (August 6, 2015).

The Indian colts are presently on a two-month exposure Tour to Germany from where they would be travelling to Tabriz City in Iran to play in the AFC U-16 Qualifiers in September 2015.

The match against Salzburg was their fourth practice match since their arrival in Germany in late July 2015.

Playing against their superior opponents, Ninthoi and Boris scored one each for the India U-16 boys. The Indians trailed 0-1 at the interval.

The match was played of 80-minutes duration with two halves of 40 minutes each.

Coached by German Coach Nicolai Adam the Indians looked organised and maintained their shape at the back despite a series of attacks on their citadel. Salzburg eventually surged into the lead in the 22^nd minute converting from the spot.

Changing over, Salzburg doubled their lead almost immediately finishing off from a combined move from the back.

But that spurred on the Indians as India U-16 earned a corner but Komal's shot went wide.

However, a creative move initiated through the right got the best what it deserved when Ninthoi reduced the margin in the 45^th minute.

Thereafter, the Indians pressed high and created chances. The Indians were fit and won balls in the rival half penetrating the midfield.

It started with Amarjit setting it up for Ninthoi but it went wide off the mark.

Next, a down the middle move saw Amarjit create another but Gaston’s shot went off the target.

India brought in their first substitution in the 62^nd minute – Aman replacing Sanjeev.

Salzburg U-16 made it 3-1 soon. A long ball from the Goalkeeper saw it being finished with a rasping shot from some 25 yards.

Not to be deterred, the Indian colts pulled another back – this time Boris finishing it off after combining well with Thoi in the 75^th minute.

Nong came in for Jitu in the 76^th minute and in the 77^th minute, another of India’s moves frustrated the rivals but Rahul’s shot went wide.