COTIF Cup: India U20 puts up heroic display to hold World Cup Runners-up Venezuela to a draw


XtraTime Web Desk:
India U20 colts puts up a sensational performance to hold mighty Venezuela U20 into a goal-less draw in their third match of the COTIF Cup in Valencia, Spain today. Venezuela are the current U20 FIFA World Cup Runners-Up and fielded as many as four first team players of that team, which played the final in 2017.

Defenders Anwar Ali and Jitendra Singh were re-instated in the starting XI after serving their suspension in their previous match against Mauritania, but Rahul KP and Sanjeev Stalin continued to be sidelined with their respective injuries.

The India colts put in a steely performance at the back to hold their fort against the U-20 World Cup runners-up. The South American nation started firing on all cylinders from the word go making their intentions clear.

Considering the strength of the opposition team, Pinto was bit defensive on his approach. But the defenders put up a resilient display to disappoint the mighty Venezuela side time and again.

Both teams were locked in an intense midfield battle in the last quarter of the match. Rahim Ali was brought on for the last 20 minutes to add pace in the wings substituting Meetei.

As the match entered its final stretch India took the safety-first approach and chose to clear their lines.

India will play Argentina U20 on 5th August.