Indian National Team: Early Goal From Mohammed Rafi Gives India Narrow Win Over Atletico CP

Rafi bagged the winner...

By Goal.com India

More On : India, Atletico CP vs India

Comments

The Indian national team registered a narrow 1-0 victory over Portuguese Second Division outfit Atletico CP in their first practice match in Lisbon on Wednesday evening.

Churchill Brothers striker Mohammed Rafi scored the winner inside the first six minutes of the game.

Don't Miss

As reported by Goal.com earlier on Wednesday, Arindam Bhattcharya did start in goal in place of the injured Subashish Roychowdhury and that was the only change from the team that defeated Monsanto 6-2 last Thursday in Vierra.

The frontline partnership between Abhishek Yadav and Mohammed Rafi has been a success for far in the Portugal tour with the duo scoring four goals between them in the first two practice matches.

And it was the same combination that brought about the opening and only goal of the game as a pinpoint pass from Yadav was coolly slotted home by Rafi to give India the lead after six minutes.

Deadly Duo

India won both their previous matches comfortably but this time they were up against much tougher opponents as Atletico CP is one of the strongest clubs of the Portuguese Second Division.

Atletico pressed hard for the equalizer but Bob Houghton’s team was well organized as they went into the halftime break with the one goal advantage.

Just like the last two games, there were several changes in the Indian lineup at halftime with as many as eight substitutions taking place.

Goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya, winger Anthony Pereira and striker Abhiskek Yadav were the only players to complete ninety minutes.

Second half substitute James Singh was also used in the left flank for the first time while young forward Sushil Kumar Singh made this third consecutive appearance from the bench.

At Last A Clean Sheet

The second period was an even contest in terms of possession but India always had control of the game and in the end did enough to secure their third consecutive win.

Coach Bob Houghton must be happy to see his side keep their first clean sheet in three matches but will be hoping for more goals in Thursday’s practice match against Sintra.

India Lineup:

Arindam Bhattacharya, Surkumar Singh (Deepak Mandal), Gouramangi Moirangthem (Mahesh Gawli), Anwar (N.S. Manju), Syed Rahim Nabi (N. Mohanraj), Anthony Pereira, N.P. Pradeep (Mehrajuddin Wadoo), Renedy Singh (Baldeep Singh), Clifford Miranda (James Singh), Abhishek Yadav , Mohammed Rafi (Sushil Kumar Singh)

Unused Substitutes:

Subrata Paul, Rakesh Masih, Steven Dias, Jagpreet Singh, Govin Singh