Kolkata: History was in the making as the Indian national team registered a fantastic come-from-behind win against Mauritius in the first match of the Tri-nation International Football Series at the Mumbai Football Arena on August 19.
Courtesy a 2-1 win over their African opponents, India for the first time ever in his football history has won eight international matches on the trot.
It was also India’s 14th win in the last 16 games they have played at the International Arena.
For the hosts, local boy Nikhil Poojary, Amrinder Singh and Manvir Singh made their debuts for the senior team.
Mervyn Jocelyn from Mauritius left India shocked when he went past India’s defense and scored the opening goal of the match in the 15th minute.
But they couldn’t hold on to that lead for long as striker Robin Singh calmly netted one in the 37th minute from inside the box after he received a beautiful pass from Rowlin Borges. Both the teams were locked at 1-1 at the half-way stage.
After the break, India coach Stephen Constantine introduced Nikhil Poojary and Amrinder Singh into the game in place of Jackichand Singh and Subrata Paul. He also substituted goal-scorer Robin Singh with Balwant Singh, whose goal would go on to become the difference between both these teams.
It didn’t take long for Balwant to score his first goal for India in his second match as he gave India a decisive lead in the 62nd minute.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh passed a wonderful ball to Jeje Lalpekhlua, who then flicked it to Balwant, who made the most of this opportunity and made a mark in the game.
Mohammad Rafique replaced Lyngdoh in the 74th minute and created another opportunity but it wasn’t capitalised upon by Halicharan Narzary.
U-23 sensation Manvir Singh, who had played a crucial role in Bengal’s successful Santosh Trophy campaign earlier this year made his debut as he replaced Jeje with just three minutes left for the regulation time to end. He nearly scored a goal in his first match but his shot landed over the net.
India would next face St. Kitts and Nevis on the 21st of August while Mauritius would compete against the same team at the same venue just a day later.
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Ye pic cricketer hai ya footballer ka