India rallies past Iraq

Nov 01: Indian junior football team came from behind in the final ten minutes to hold Iraq to a 2-2 draw on Tuesday night in the AFC Under-16 Championship played at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahad Stadium in Damman, Saudi Arabia.

With this draw India is now having four points and also raised the hopes of making it to the final round. India boys showed some immense Spirit and fought back hard in the final session to clinch a point out of the jaws of the title favourites.

Earlier India opened their campaign blanking Sri Lanka with a half-a-dozen goal margin in the six-team group. They have three more matches to play. India play against Lebanon today, hosts Saudi Arabia on November 4 and Bhutan on November 11.

Iraq went ahead in the 29th minute through Al Nuami, while Ahmed Marid doubled the lead after half time.

India fought back hard and survived the scare in the last 10 minutes with Vikramjit Singh scoring in the 80th minute and Tanmoy Ghosh restoring the parity three minutes before the final whistle keeping India’s chances alive in the tournament.