By Ajay Majumder
Bambolim, Goa: India suffered their second successive defeat in the ongoing BRICS U-17 Football Cup 2016, losing to South Africa on Friday at the GMC Stadium in Goa.
Having dominated most of the proceeding, India fell short of converting the numerous chances that came their way in eiher halves and ended up on the wrong side of a 0-1 scoreline, as the Junior Baffana won via a 23rd minute goal slotted by Ndamolelo Radzilani which help his team to make a winning start of their campaign.
India began the game confidently and in the initial minutes they went close through Aniket Jadhav and Aman Chhetri but the South Africa defense stood tall. South Africa, meanwhile, had a few close chances at the opposite end but all those attempts were thwarted away by India keeper Dheeraj Singh.
South Africa’s persistence finally paid off when Radzilani headed the opener around the half way through following a quick counter attack from the left side.
India, after falling behind, began attacking with intensity but South Africa defended valiantly as they went into the half time break holding a slender 0-1 lead.
The second half saw more of the midfield battle. Though India kept the pressure on and had a few half chances through Aniket and skipper Suresh Singh but the finishing touch was lacking.
South Africa did show some excellent moves in patches but they could not convert mainly due to some solid defensive work by the Nicolai Adam-coached side.
Towards the end, India desperately tried to push up and get something out of the fixture, but South Africa protected their lead to seal a well deserved win.
The result meant India remain on fourth spot without a point from two outings while South Africa are on third with 3 points from one game.
India are scheduled to face China next on October 11 while South Africa will face the same opponent on October 9.