The Indian Under-17 football team lost to 10-man Russia in their first match of the BRICS football tournament by a solitary goal.
Russia scored in the third minute of the game through Spartak Moscow striker Daniil Lopatin. Russian midfielder Nial Umiarov was shown a straight red card in the early stages of the second half but the Indians were unable to trouble their opponents, who were clearly the stronger side at the Bambolim Stadium in Goa.
Before India could settle down and gain a foothold in the contest, they went behind with Lopatin latching on to a loose ball after the Indian defence hesitated at the back for a brief second, and burying it past keeper Dheeraj Moirangthem.
In the middle of the park, Indians were constantly out-muscled by the well-built Russians, who turned to long-balls to trouble the Indian backline. With the Russians regularly threatening the Indian goal with shots from outside the box, the home side made an early change with Abijit Sarkar replaced by Aniket Jadhav.
The Indians were presented with a golden opportunity in the 50th minute when Umiarov was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Amarjit Singh's shin. Despite space opening up in the middle of the park, India were unable to open up the Russian defence; their best chances came from dead-ball situations.
Substitute Aman Chhetri went close with an effort from outside the box, and winger Komal Thatal went closer with a curler from the left; the ball going just a few inches over the bar but Russia held on for a well-deserved victory.
Brief score
India U-17 0 lose to Russia U-17 1 (Daniil Lopatin)
