The India Under-17s played out a 2–2 draw against Benfica at the Seixal Stadium yesterday, avoiding defeat at the third time of asking in their ongoing European exposure tour.
Coach Luis Norton de Matos’s charges were brave and came back from being two goals down to level things against an impressive Benfica outfit. The Indian Colts gave a good account of themselves for the majority of the game before tired legs meant they were punished after the 70th-minute mark.
However, two quick goals from the Portuguese side didn’t dampen India’s hopes as they found enough resolve and firepower to come back, scoring two quickfire goals themselves. Shahajahan’s 85th-minute equaliser came six minutes after Jitendra Singh had reduced the deficit with a close-range header, showing that the Colts didn’t get bogged down even after going behind late in the game.
Here are the five talking points from the game:
#1 The Colts are improving with every passing match
The Indian Under-17 team, which will participate in the Under-17 World Cup later this year, had lost twice in two outings before kicking off against Benfica. They had gone down to Vitoria Setubal 2–1 after conceding a late winner in the first game, while Belenenses also had the better of the Colts 2–1 after a late surge in the second outing. In both the games, the Colts played well before defensive lapses late on proved costly.
There was a sense of deja vu against Benfica as well, as India Under-17s conceded in the 73rd and 75th minutes, but their determination to not give up bore fruit as they came back to level things up within 10 minutes. It gives an indication of how the Colts are slowly learning to manage games, something which will stand them in good stead for the future.
#2 Norton de Matos has made the Colts tactically better
There was no early gung-ho stuff to be seen from the Colts as they waited for Benfica to take a proactive approach. The Portuguese side built up play patiently, but every time they tried to attack through the centre, India would push them back. There was a 4–4–2-ish look to the Indian team, with the ball-side winger tucking into a defensive position when Benfica tried to attack through the wide areas.
India’s discipline in the middle third denied Benfica chances to create clear-cut opportunities, and it also showed the growing maturity of the Colts heading into the World Cup later this year.
#3 Waiting and hitting on the break
It was expected that Benfica would pose the biggest challenge to the Colts in their Portugal exposure tour, but the India Under-17s put up a brave front to play on an equal footing and cause trouble in attack themselves. The idea for Norton de Matos’s side was to play a waiting game, drawing Benfica out by allowing them to attack before playing on the counter attack.
Reactive football is prominent in Portuguese football’s school of thought, and it looks Norton de Matos has made an impression on the kids with his blueprint. With decreasing energy levels as a game wears on a concern, playing a patient game out of possession and looking for openings on the break might just be the way forward for the Colts.
#4 Lapses in concentration persist
Despite the enormity of the result, it was far from a perfect performance from the Colts. They did well to stay in the game for over 70 minutes before a similar-looking Benfica attack resulted in Sergio scoring the opener. India then pushed for an equaliser before being punished on the break by Gomes two minutes later, another product of an Indian defensive lapse.
In three games, the Colts have conceded two goals per game, which is not a good advert for their defence. They did well to keep out Benfica during spells of the game when the hosts were turning the heat up but failed to defend their lines for the two goals. Such defensive lapses are common when players tire, so Norton de Matos has a job in his hands to get his players to manage the entire 90 minutes without slacking off for even a moment.
#5 Draw with Benfica a big boost ahead of the rest of the exposure tour
The Colts will now take on Estoril on the 1st of May before once again squaring off to Benfica on the 5th of May. Their final game of the Portugal tour is against Sporting Club Portugal on the 9th of May. Ahead of those three matches, the 2–2 draw from yesterday will provide a boost to the Colts. Any result against one of the world’s top youth sides bloats confidence, and the Benfica one will surely do the Colts’ mentality a world of good.
Especially fulfilling to watch was the manner of their comeback, which was the least expected after Benfica had scored twice in two minutes. There was character written all over it. An entire nation remains optimistic about the India Under-17s, and that optimism was complemented by yesterday’s on-pitch performance.
