India U-23

India U23 blanked by A-League side Sydney FC down under

Stephen Constantine's India U23 team went down 3-0 to A-League outfit Sydney FC in a friendly on Tuesday. 

The Indian team is currently camping in Australia in preparations for the SAFF Cup in September and had beaten APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 3-1 on Saturday. However, Sydney FC who play in the topmost division in Australia proved to be tough customers for Constantine's men. 

India started with Sumeet Passi and Faruq Chowdhary up top while Germanpreet Singh and Anirudh Thapa were deployed in midfield. Salam Ranjan Singh and Sajid Dhot were in charge of defence while Vishal Kaith started in goal. 

After a sedate start to the game, Sydney FC took the lead in the 37th minute through Alex Brosque's header and duly doubled their advantage just before the break. 

Former Reading striker Adam Le Fondre scored the second goal just before the half-time break. 

Though Constantine tried to change things up by bringing on Vinit Rai and Manvir Singh for Germanpreet and Faruq, it did not have a marked effect on the game, with Sydney FC continuing to enjoy the lion's share of possession. 

In fact, Vishal Kaith was called into action on several occasions before Trent Buhagiar scored the third goal put the game to rest. 

India will next take on semi-professional outfit Rydalmere FC on August 31 before heading off to the SAFF Cup. 

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