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Al Sadd U-16s scored from the penalty spot to clinch a last-gasp 2-2 stalemate against the valiant Indian U-16 side who went ahead twice, thanks to Thoiba (36′) and Harpreet (91′) but the hosts showed true character to come back from behind to steal a draw from the Indians’ grasp eventually.
The young Indians started tonight where they left the last night against the Qatar U-16 National Team. Harpreet smacked a long-ranger but it was well-taken by the goalie at the end.
India U-16 coach Bibiano Fernandes’ boys went ahead in the 36th minute as Thoiba converted the long corner by Givson Singh. But the Indians joy was cut short by the hosts with in four minutes and both teams headed towards the dressing room with the scoreline locked at 1-1.
After the resumption, Bibiano opted to test his second goalkeeper Manik who replaced Jongte. Ravi also joined the fray at the expense of Lalrokima before the hour-mark.
The referee ruled a penalty against the hosts but Vikram squandered the opportunity as the goalie grabbed it easily. Indians came very close to scoring another goal but the Al Sadd defenders kept them at bay.
Eventually, the super-sub Harpreet who replaced Gurkirat six minutes to the end of the regulation time, stunned the hosts having scored another goal in the 91st minute.
The football-god might have thought the other way as Al Sadd SC earned a penalty in injury time and they did no mistake to convert it to leave the ground sharing the pie with their Indian counterpart.
The Indians will play their last match of the exposure trip to Qatar against Al Duhail SC on September 15, before they leave for Nepal to play in the AFC U16 Championship Qualifiers.
