Internet Desk: In a match which was a tale of two halves, India U-16 lost the lead they had at the end of the first half and ended up losing by 2-3 to the United Arab Emirates in their Group A opener of the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 at Fatorda Stadium on Wednesday.
A superior and dominant India led 2-1 at the half time break, a half which should have produced more goals. India entered the rival box almost all throughout and had many a clear chance and shy. But the boys failed to add to the margin.
For India Sanjeev Stalin opened the scoring in the 10th minute while Boris Singh scored the second in the 36th while for UAE, Manea Aydh and Majid Rashid scored one each in the 34th and 53rd minute.
India pressed the pedal after the UAE equalised in the second half. In the 56th minute, Boris was a bit too faster to handle on the left flank but he didn’t have the last laugh as a diving Salem kept him at bay. Two minutes later, Salem came to his Team’s rescue again as he fisted away Sanjeev’s dipping free-kick.
India didn’t fade away but UAE looked to be the better side. They preferred to play over the defence line and it paid dividends – the match winner coming through Ahmad Fawzi in the 73rd minute. India play their next match against Saudi Arabia at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda, Goa on 18th September 2016.
INDIA: 2 (Sajeev Stalin – 10′; Boris Singh – 36′) lost to United Arab Emirates: 3 (Manea Aydh – 34‘, Majid Rashid – 53‘, Ahmad Fawzi – 73‘).