India go down against South Africa in BRICS Cup opener

Vanlalhriattiri scored the only goal for the Indians.

Hosts South Africa scored four goals in the second-half against their Indian counterparts to win the opening fixture of the BRICS U-17 Football Tournament by a margin of 5-1. Vanlalhriattiri (40') scored the only goal for India five minutes to the half-time before South Africa took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half.

The hosts started on a positive note but our young goalie Archana Arumugam kept them at bay until the 25th minute when they broke the deadlock.

After conceding the opening goal, Indian girls opted to take the challenge on to their opponents and eventually, found the equaliser fifteen minutes later.

Samiksha put in a terrific cross from the flank which was darted by Vanlalhriattiri in the 40th minute to keep the scoreline locked at 1-1 at the end of the first half.

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After the changeover, South African girls, basking in the decent support from the strands, hammered four goals within 20 minutes to leave the ground with all three points.

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India will face Russia in their second match of the BRICS U-17 Football Tournament on July 19.

India Starting XI: Archana Arumugam (GK), Eva Panna, Samiksha, Pakpi Devi, Bannya Kabiraj, Manisha, Babysana Devi, Soumya Guguloth (C), Vanlalhriattiri, Pavithra Murgesan, Grace lalrampari.