In a major confidence booster ahead of the under-17 World Cup, India colts defeated Italy’s youth side 2-0 in Arizo on Friday.
Abhijit Sarkar (31’) and Rahul Praveen (80’) were on target for India as they dominated their opponents in possession as well as chances created.
The Colts got off the blocks early and created their first chance as early as the eighth minute as Komal Thatal’s missed the target narrowly. In the 13th minute, Aniket came close to opening the scoring but his effort went straight to the keeper.
They finally took the lead just after the half-hour mark as Sarkar’s cross took a wicked deflection off the Italian defence line and ended up in goal.
They continued their search for more goals in the second half. In the 59th minute, Aniket failed to convert a one on one chance against the Italian goalkeeper. He rounded the opposition custodian up but could not find the back of the net.
In the 75th minute, Rahul came close to scoring as he tapped the ball towards home from handshaking distance after Aniket’s shot had earned an uncanny save by the Italian custodian. Sadly the shot went wide.
He, however, made amends five minute later scoring from inside the box to double India’s lead and helping them complete a famous victory.
