The hosts started on a positive note but India’s young goalie Archana Arumugam kept them at bay until the 25th minute when they broke the deadlock.
After conceding the opening goal, the 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.
After the changeover, the South African girls, basking in the decent support from the strands, hammered in four goals within 20 minutes to leave the ground with all three points.
India will face Russia in their second match of the BRICS U-17 Football Tournament tomorrow, July 19.
India U-17 Women: Archana Arumugam – Eva Panna, Samiksha, Pakpi Devi, Bannya Kabiraj, Manisha, Babysana Devi, Soumya Guguloth [C], Vanlalhriattiri, Pavithra Murgesan, Grace Lalrampari