SAFF U-15 C'ship: India lose to Pak in opener

The Indian U-15 football team kicked off their title defence at the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship with a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Pakistan in their first match here at the ANFA Complex.

In a tightly-contested match, Pakistan had taken the lead in the first half. In the 53rd minute, though India had equalized, a late goal by the opponents in the 85th minute proved to be the difference between the two sides.

India started the match on an attacking note but failed to see the light of day as the opponent flooded bodies in defence.

In the 30th minute, the opposing side took the lead after Adnan Justin found the back of the Indian net from close range. At the half-way point, the scoreline read 1-0 in Pakistan's favour.

India wasted time in the second half and got into the thick of affairs. Finding an opportunity to test the opposition at almost every minute upped the ante for the Indians.

In the 53rd minute, India equalized their deficit when Thlacheu Vanlalruatfela broke free of the Pakistani defence and latched onto a through ball, bundling it home with ease to make the scoreline read 1-1.

A goal in the 85th minute by the opposition gave them the lead 2-1 and they held onto the lead as the full-time scoreline read 2-1 in Pakistan's favour.

The Indian U-15 football team will now clash with Bhutan on October 27, in their last group stage match of the SAFF U-15 Championship.