#2 Russia could probably win the tournament
Russia did send pretty much their first-choice U-17 side for the BRICS tourney, so we were probably watching the future national side. Even when lining up against their Indian opponents, it was immediately obvious that this would be a physical mismatch.
Russia capitalised on that seed of doubt right from the start, making merry in the centre of the park, not letting a nervous India play the ball out from the back. There was plenty of interchanging movement, and they tormented their opponents with incisive play that led to the first goal.
Daniil Lopatin was the goal-scorer, and with 5 goals in 12 games for the Russian side so far, he is surely one to look out for in the future. Given that Brazil have sent a second-string side and looked off the pace in a 2-0 win over China, Russia must be fancying their chances of lifting the inaugural BRICS U-17 tournament.
