By Joseph Solomon,

AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The AIFF U-17 Colts defeated Pune FC U-17 by a solitary goal in the ongoing Subroto Cup International Tournament 2015 at the Ambedkar Stadium in the Capital today (October 10, 2015).

With this win the AIFF U-17 Academy progresses into the Quarter-Final stage of the competition and will play their next match on October 12, 2015 against Swedish Club side BK Hacken. 

A Deependra Negi goal in the opening minutes of second half proved to be the difference between the two Teams however the Indian colts could have opened their goal scoring tally in the early minutes of the match as Baoringdao Bodo was released onto goal, after an exquisite through ball in the 4^th minute. However Bodo’s chip was just a little too overhit and landed atop of the goalpost.

Two minutes later, Baoringdao’s rasping shot rattled the post as the Indian colts tried to take the lead in the early minutes of the match.

With the Indian attack force having a field day and looking dangerous with every passing second, the Indian defence line complemented the attack and cleared any danger that came its way.

In the 15^th minute, Indian custodian Dipak Bulani was called into action as he made a fine save to deny the opposition any dividends. Two minutes later, Bulani’s finger-touch save kept the opposition from taking the lead.

The Indian Colts were handed another opportunity in the dying embers of the first half as Mondal’s cross after a dazzling run found Bodo in the 18 yard box. The latter however ran into defensive traffic and earned a corner kick.

Thereafter, both Teams entangled in a battle for midfield and at the end of the first half the score-line read 0-0.

Two halves of 35 minutes each comprised the match and the Indian colts were at it again after the second half kicked-off.

Two back-to-back Indian corners piled the pressure on the opponents and it was just a matter of time for the Indian colts to breach Pune FC’s defences. And five minutes into the second half, the decisive break came as a cross-in from the right flank was tapped home by Deependra Negi to give the Indian colts a solitary goal lead.

In the 49^th minute, Bodo’s rocket-of-a-shot after escaping from his marking player went inches wide of the goal, as the Indian colts searched for their second goal of the match.

As the Indian colts pressed to double their lead, chances came in plenty. In the 63^rd minutes the colts were unable to score with the goal at their mercy, following a cross. Three minutes later the Pune FC custodian made a Neuer-esque save to deny Nijwm a sniff at goal.

The Indian defence stood strong to see out the match and at the end of time the scoreline read 1-0 in favor of the Indian colts.