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India vs Benfica, As it Happened, Under-17 Practice Match

India U-17 0-3 Benfica, Full-time
Updated: 06 May 2017 00:29 IST - Published: May, 06 2017 12:12 AM IST
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That's it then. The Indian Under-17 team lose their fourth match of their Portuguese tour. However, the 3-0 scoreline wasn't a fair reflection of the game today, which saw contrasting fortunes in finishing from both sides. That said, India couldn't stop Benfica from winning by three goals today. 

Thank you for following this live blog. Until next time, goodbye!
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Full-time: India U-17s 0-3 Benfica
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0-3 Chance for India as a one-v-one is spurned. That, perhaps, sums up the day for the Colts.
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Although the Colts are 0-3 down, the pace at which the game is played has been enjoyable. That's perhaps the magic of practice matches.
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0-3 The game is petering out as the clock ticks to 90 minutes but the Colts are still on the attack, trying to take people on and shooting. Their end-product today, however, has lacked bite.
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We are into the dying embers of the match as another defeat looms for the India Colts. Benfica have looked far more superior than their visitors today and deserve their lead.

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Corner for India here. Could they capitalise? No, as the delivery is too deep and the second ball is shot straight at the Benfica keeper.
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It's still India 0-3 Benfica.
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0-3 What a penalty save by Dheeraj there. The goalkeeper stops India from going 4-0 down.
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0-3 Penalty to Benfica!
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India 0-3 Benfica

It's seemingly over now for the Colts.
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GOAL for Benfica!
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0-2 Komal goes on a driving run cutting inside but he is eventually stopped by the strong, physical Benfica defence. India have had to rely on moments of individual brilliance to create chances so far.
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0-2 Chance for India as Aniket's mazy run beats one defender but his cross is cleared away by the Benfica defence. Benfica survive but India are looking dangerous in their rare attacking forays this half.
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Benfica make their 1st substitution.
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0-2 Positive signs from the Colts as they go on the attack and nearly score a goal via a cross from the left wing. India are far from letting up here at the Seixal Stadium.
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0-2 Chance for Benfica as a clever turn in midfield bypasses India's press from behind. The space left behind is exploited but the Benfica winger's cross is headed over the bar. 
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0-2 It is Benfica who are keeping the ball for long periods and then cutting the Indian defence with ease. India have looked out of sorts so far in the 2nd half after having had to chase the ball for the most part.
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0-2 The 2nd Benfica goal came off a deflection from Rahul. Neither the run of play nor luck seems to favour the Colts today.
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India 0-2 Benfica

The Colts can't defend a short corner as Benfica walk the ball into the 18-yard box before a fierce shot beats Dheeraj low on his near post.
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GOAL for Benfica!
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India 0-1 Benfica

Komal concedes a dangerous free kick just on the edge of the box. The effort from Benfica sails just over as the Colts restart.
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The 2nd half kicks off.
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Half-time: India 0-1 Benfica

It all started with Benfica pinning India back before they earned a flurry of corners as the Colts somehow survived the early onslaught. Norton de Matos's charges pushed up as the 1st half worn on, leaving themselves open to counterattacks. One such counterattack saw the home side earn a corner from which they scored the opening goal. India showed some fight after conceding but that hasn't been enough so far. Let's see what the 2nd half brings us.
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The referee whistles for half-time and India Colts trail 0-1 at the break. The 2nd half will start shortly.
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0-1 The Colts are already looking weary as the first half enters its dying stages. Benfica have had more than 10 corners so far.
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0-1 Chance for India!

Rahul drives forward from wide right and cuts inside before firing in a shot that goes just over the bar. That's the closest the Colts have come to scoring a goal this afternoon.
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0-1 One good thing about India so far has been their propensity to attack and defend in numbers. That has not yielded a goal yet, but it could come any time soon.
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0-1 Stalin releases Aniket with a searching ball through the flanks but the forward struggles to keep it under control with his first touch. India's passes have been longer than Benfica's so far.
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0-1 The speed with with Benfica turn defence into attack is something the Colts can learn here as they have been fairly slow in going forward.
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0-1 India attack immediately after conceding but a shot from 25 yards goes just wide. 
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India 0-1 Benfica
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0-1 A glut of early corners for Benfica was a sign of their pressure and they have made one of them count. A second ball ends up in the back of the net as the Colts fall behind here 
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GOAL for Benfica!
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0-0 India move forward with a sweeping attack but it ends in a corner for the Blues. The delivery is pretty close to goal but Benfica's goalkeeper holds on well. First proper attack of the game for the Colts.
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0-0 Chance for Benfica but Dheeraj comes out quickly to distract the Benfica forward, who hits his shot wide of the target.
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0-0 Benfica have favoured their left wing more while attacking, forcing India to effectively play in a 5-4-1 shape without the ball. On the ball, there has been a lack of imagination in passing, as Benfica pin the Colts back.
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0-0 Nine men behind the ball and a lone man up front lurking 60 yards away from his closest teammate. Benfica are ramping up the pressure but India hold well.
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0-0 We have seen this reactive brand of football on this entire tour so far, hence it is no surprise that India are mostly defending in this game.
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0-0 India have sat deep inside their own half, therefore the 0-0 scoreline seems pretty damning for the Benfica players.
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0-0 India are slowly pushing up and preventing Benfica from building up with ease. But that leads to a Benfica counter and a one-v-one with Dheeraj who saves.
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0-0. Benfica have shifted the ball well from flank to flank but India have maintained a good presence down the centre of the pitch, not allowing the Eagles to penetrate. That has forced the home side to enter the final third from wide areas.
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Early pressure from Benfica here and they earn a corner early on. The delivery fizzes past the Benfica players waiting in the box and goes out for a throw-in to India.
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The Colts are pretty much stationed inside their own half, thereby posing problems to Benfica in unlocking their defence.
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Aand we have kicked off at the Seixal Stadium.
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The game hasn't yet kicked off. 
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It's been 3 losses and a draw for the Colts, not such a great return of results, but as coach Luis Norton de Matos pointed, results at this stage are less important than the preparation for the main event that is the Under-17 World Cup.

The Under-17 World Cup starts in October and will feature the India Under-17s as the hosts.
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India Under-17s have so far played 4 games on their European exposure tour. The results of those games are as follows:

India 1-2 Vitoria de Setubal

India 1-2 Belenenses

India 2-2 Benfica

India 1-4 Estoril
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The line-ups are out. India Under-17s will start with these eleven players: Dheeraj (GK), Sanjeev, Suresh, Ninthoi, Amarjit, Komal, Aniket, Jitendra, Rahul, Hendry, Jeakson.

We are 18 minutes away from kick-off at the Seixal Stadium for round two of India Colts vs Benfica. Remember, round one ended in a stalemate.
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