India U-17 put up an improved display from their tournament opener but still went down 0-1 to South Africa at the Bambolim Stadium in Goa on Friday. India's keeper Dheeraj Singh was a stoic figure in front of goal, denying the South Africans a number of chances throughout the game. Ndamulelo Radzilani scored the only goal, which was scored in the 22nd minute.
The South African attackers were also guilty of missing several chances from promising situations. The first half saw the Indians raiding the South African territory through the flanks, but, much like their opponents, the hosts too, were toothless in the final third. Radzilani scored through a powerful header against the run of play to put South Africa in the lead. Just a moment earlier, India looked like opening the deadlock as Aniket Jadhav came close with a shot from just outside the box.
Jadhav went closer in the early stages of the second half when South Africa's goalkeeper, Glen Badjies spilled Ninthoinganba Meetei's shot. Jadhav arrived a second late to pounce on the rebound. The intensity from both sides dropped during the last quarter of the game as the game was bogged down in midfield. There were eight minutes of stoppage time and India threw men forward, and left plenty of space at the back. The South Africans held on to take the win and India will now take on China on October 11.
Brief Scores:
India 0 lose to South Africa 1 (Ndamulelo Radzilani)