Indian colts hold Manchester United Youth team to 3-3 draw

Manchester, Sep 10 (UNI) Playing the second friendly match of their nine-day exposure-cum practice tour as a part of its preparation for the Asian Championships, the India U-16 Team showed lot of grit and determination to hold Manchester United Youth team to a 3-3 draw here last night.

For India, Malswamfela again produced a consistent performance to open the score to give visitors an early 1-0 lead in the fifth minute, which was later equalised by Manchester United.

Malswamfela completed a brace as he made it 2-2 in the 53rd minute in the second half. A penalty for Manchester United made it 3-2 for the home side.

However, the Indians, playing a tough opponent amid heavy ground conditions due to overnight rain, were able to hold Manchester United with the third equalizer coming about 20 mins before the the final whistle. Lalrindika found the net after a milee in front of the rival goalmouth.

Earlier, in their first game, the Indian boys had lost by a narrow 1-2 margin to Everton Youth team on September 4.

Speaking to AIFF.Com, Coach Narayana Menon expressed satisfaction at the performance of the team.

''Playing in European conditions against tough opponents has helped the team gain a lot of useful experience in preparation of the team for the AFC Under 16 Championship 2008, to be held in Uzbekistan in October,'' Menon said.

''If Shilton Paul and Lalrindika had not missed the opportunies, the result would have been completely in India's favour,'' he added.

UNI XC RKM AB PM1717