Photo courtesy: AIFF Media

The India U-16 national team presently preparing for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup went down fighting to FC Red Bull Salzburg U-16 Team 2-3 in Salzburg, Austria on Thursday (August 6).

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 Championship 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, Komal 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 22nd 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. A creative move got the best what it deserved when Komal reduced the margin off a corner in the 45th 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 62nd minute – Aman replacing Sanjeev.

Red Bull 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 75th minute.

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

(Report & Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)