Istanbul Cup: India U16 go down 1-2 against Oman in opening match

India U-16 side suffered a 1-2 defeat against Oman in their first match in the Istanbul Cup friendly tournament in Turkey on Monday.

Bibiano Fernandes' boys, who are currently preparing for the AFC U-16 Championship which will be held in September, got off to a disappointing start to their campaign. Oman scored the opening goal of the match in the 42nd minute and then doubled their lead in the 55th minute. Captain Vikram Singh scored the consolation goal from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.

It was Oman who created more number of chances in the first half but some quality goalkeeping by Niraj Kumar kept the scoreline intact. After dominating proceedings throughout the first half, Oman broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute.

It took Oman just 10 minutes after the second half to double their lead and pile on India's misery. Bibiano brought in Bhuvnesh in place of Rohit Danu immediately after conceding the second goal.

Oman could have further increased their lead in the 70th minute but once again Niraj Kumar came to his team's rescue.

Just a minute before the regulation time ended, India's skipper Vikram Singh was fouled inside the penalty. The captain himself took the spot-kick and pulled one back for his side.

Ravi Bahadur Rana attempted to score an equaliser from a free-kick just seconds before the full-time whistle but it was blocked by the opposition goalkeeper.

India next face Turkey on August 22 and then play a friendly match against Turkish giants Besiktas' youth side.

India starting XI: Niraj Kumar, Manish Chaudhary, Harpreet Singh, Moirangthem Singh, Shabas Ahammed, Bekey Oram, Ricky John, Ridge Melvin, Givson Singh, Vikram Singh, Rohit Danu.