India U-16 team go down fighting 1-2 to Oman

Indian U-16 football team went down fighting 1-2 to Oman in a friendly fixture in Turkey today.

Oman scored on either side of the half-time, while Vikram reducing the margin by scoring from the penalty spot in the added time of the match.

The first half of the match was mostly played at the middle of the pitch before Shabas put in a brilliant cross but Rohit couldn't convert it.

Oman took the lead three minutes to the half-time whistle, before doubling the advantage in the 55th minute to put themselves in a comfortable position.

Coach Bibiano Fernandes rang in a few changes to find the back of the net but Oman stood tall to thwart their efforts until the final minute of the regulation time.

Vikram was brought down in the box in the 89th minute and the skipper slotted in the spot-kick to halve the gap.

Although India pushed hard to find the equaliser towards the end, Oman held on their nerves to win the match eventually.

India had recently finished at the second spot in the WAFF U-16 Championship after beating defending AFC U16 Champions Iraq, Jordan and Yemen.