Indian National Team: India Thrash Caldas SC 4-1 In Opening Practice Match Of Portugal Tour

Convincing win for Bob Houghton's team....

By Goal.com India

More On : India, Caldas SC vs India

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The Indian national team hammered Portuguese Third Division outfit Caldas SC 4-1 in their opening practice match of the Portugal tour at Pilado training ground, Vierra on Wednesday evening.

India scored thrice in the first half through Abhishek Yadav, Steven Dias & N.P. Pradeep and conceded one too. Baldeep Singh added the fourth in the second period.

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With Climax Lawrence ruled out due to injury, Renedy Singh started alongside N.P. Pradeep in central midfield while East Bengal’s Syed Rahim Nabi played in the left back position.

The highest Indian scorer of last season’s I-League Mohammed Rafi partnered Abhishek Yadav upfront in the absence of Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri.

The Portuguese side started better and produced a fine save off Subrata Paul in the opening stages.

But India soon got into their groove and took the lead in the 7th minute when Abhishek Yadav headed home a cross from Steven Dias.

Dias got on the scoresheet himself nine minutes later when his delightful lob gave the Caldas keeper no chance.

A Goal & An Assist

India tripled their advantage in the 38th minute when N.P. Pradeep’s 30-yard screamer found its way past the Caldas custodian.

But India’s three goal lead didn’t last for long as the Terceira Divisão Portuguesa outfit pulled one back in the very next minute.

Bob Houghton made nine changes in the second period with only goalkeeper Subrata Paul and striker Abhishek Yadav remaining on the pitch.

India dominated proceedings in the second period also and scored the fourth through Baldeep Singh in the 70th minute.

Bob Houghton’s team might have beaten only a third division club of Portugal but considering this was their first game in nearly six months, the scoreline would have definitely pleased the English coach.

Bob Should Be Pleased

India’s next friendly match is against another team from Terceira Divisão Portuguesa - Monsanto on Thursday evening.

India Lineup:

1-Subrata Paul,17-Surkumar Singh (12-Deepak Kumar Mandal),19-Gouramangi Moirangthem (14-Mahesh Gawli),5-Anwar (2-Govin Singh),22-Syed Rahim Nabi (3-NS Manju),23-Steven Dias (13-James Singh),7-NP Pradeep (27-Mehrajuddin Wadoo),8-Renedy Singh (6-Baldeep Singh),28-Anthony Pereira (25-Clifford Miranda),26-Mohammed Rafi (18-Sushil Kumar Singh), 9-Abhishek Yadav

Unused Substitutes:

Substitutes: 24-Subhasish Roy Chowdhury,16-Arindam Bhattacharya,4-Mohanraj,41-Rakesh Masih