India colts hold Bulgaria to 1-1 draw in Granatkin Memorial Tournament
AIFF
The India under 19 football team managed to play out a draw against Bulgaria in the last group game of the ongoing Granatkin Memorial Tournament at the Petrrovsky Stadium in Russia on Sunday. Akash Mishra scored the only goal for the Indian colts and India collected one point from the game.
The European team had taken the first lead in the game in the 7th minute thanks to a poor clearance by Muhammed Rafi. Rafi’s shot went into the Indian post and it was an own goal that gave the opponents a lead inside the first 10 minutes of the match. Although India tried hard to build a good attack from the midfield, the Bulgarian defence was well aware to deny India a chance to equalize soon.Â
Bulgaria also went on to attack the Indian goal in search for a second and Detelinov's side-footer missed the target by a whisker in the 33rd minute. It was followed by Filip's shot that barely missed the bar just before the half-time break.
It was in the 48th minute when India finally found the equalizer. Sanjeev's curling corner-kick was headed into the near post by Akash Mishra. Floyd Pinto’s boys put up a good show after that and managed to put the Bulgarians in some trouble with continuous attacking moves. Five minutes before the end of the match, Harmanpreet, on a counter-attacking move, hit the ball straight into the hands of the goalie and India missed the chance to take the lead.
India finished the group with one point from three matches. They will now play two play-off matches to decide the final standings. After the final matches of Group B and C, India will get to know their opponent of the play-off match which will be played on Tuesday.
