South Africa beat India U-17 girls team at BRICS tournament

Indian football is on the rise since the latter half of the past decade and the success of Sunil Chhetri & Co., in the recently concluded Intercontinental Cup, was a reminder of the same. However, while the senior team gears up for next year’s AFC Asian Cup in UAE, the youngsters in the U-17 boys and girls team’s are currently on tour in different countries in a bid to gain some valuable experience as they go up against strong opponents.

While the U-17 boys' team is currently on tour in Thailand, the Indian U-17 girls' team is in South Africa as part of the BRICS initiative which will see India go up against the likes of Brazil, Russia, China and hosts’ South Africa. The young Indian side, however, were humbled in their first match of the tournament as a dominant South African team beat the visitors by a score of 5-1.

South Africa scored four goals in the second-half, while Vanlalhriattiri of India(40th minute) scored the only goal for the Indians. Indian goalkeeper Archana Arumugam kept the South Africans at bay until the 25th minute, despite a strong start from the home team, as they broke the deadlock. But Indian winger Samiksha put in a terrific cross from the flank which was turned into the goal by Vanlalhriattiri in the 40th minute to earn a crucial equaliser for the young Indian side after which the first half ended at 1-1.

The second half, however, was a different story altogether as the South Africans went on a rampage and scored four goals in 20 minutes to bag three points from the game. After this setback, India will face Russia in their second match which will serve as a huge challenge for the Asian team.