Sport Chain Cup 2018: 3rd Match - India U16 vs USA U16, Live Match Updates

It's a wrap here!

FINAL SCORELINE: INDIA U16 0 - 1 USA U16

Match over!

They miss out on this opportunity as well!

India with a great opportunity as they win a free kick just outside the box

Just 5 minutes remaining for India to make a difference.

Vikram with a powerful header towards goal but the USA goalkeeper is also up to it.

Another good save by Biaka

10 minutes remaining. India will consider themselves lucky to only be a goal down right now!

Sensational save by Biaka to deny USA of their 2nd goal

Bibiano Fernandes with 2 consecutive changes as Lalrokima comes on for Ricky & Ravi comes on for Ridge.

India tries to build play by retaining possession in their own half

Just 20 minutes remaining on the clock!

Biaka has also been as good as Niraj in the Indian goal. India has 2 excellent goalkeeping options now.

Another corner for USA. This time the defenders clear away the danger

Corner for USA. Biaka is up to it and jumps high to collect the ball safely!

Gurkirat is solid in defense as he blocks a shot!

It would have certainly been an uphill task for India if they had to recover from 2 goals down.

A simple tap in for the USA striker but he misses it and gives India a lifeline!

Corner for USA but they fail to make an impact as the solid Indian defense clears it away safely.

Vikram tries a shot from long range but it is very wayward!

Good start for the Indian boys as they win a corner early on

Bibiano Fernandes decides to take give Biaka some playing time. Biaka comes on for Niraj.

The action has resumed!

The 2nd half is about to commence!

Each half consists of 40 mins

SCORELINE AT HALF-TIME: INDIA U16 0 - 1 USA U16

Free kick for India but this also goes down as a wasted opportunity!

Givson crosses it to Sailo who just misses the goalpost by a foot. This was the best chance India had in the match till now!

Free kick for USA but Niraj is rock solid in his goal.

Another corner for USA with the same result.

A corner for USA. Poor ball in and does not trouble the Indian defense at all.

A good through ball by Givson but Ricky does not time his run properly and is caught off-side

India looking strong to get an equalizer in the first half itself!

Givson is 1 on 1 with keeper! AAAANDD he misses

Vikram with a through ball but it is too close to the keeper and it is easily collected by him!

SCORE: INDIA U16 0 - 1 USA U16

GOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

Danu with the good cross in but there is no one in the right place to capitalize on it

Ridge with a through ball to Thoiba who scuffs his attempt at goal

Niraj pulls off another save!

Shabas evades the danger and clears the corner!

USA wins 2 corners in a row

USA counters and Niraj has to pull off an smart save!

India almost has the opener early on as the ball comes off the post!

Starting squad of India: Niraj (GK), Shabas, Gurkirat, Harpreet Singh, Moirangthem Thoiba, Ricky, Givson (C), Sailo, Ridge, Vikram, Danu

The U16 team is in Benicassim, Spain for the Sportchain Friendlies #BackTheBlue #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/nZZfwDL0My
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) April 19, 2018

The U16 boys warming up ahead of their match against USA today #BackTheBlue #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/f2zjvF1OTk
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) April 19, 2018

Hello and welcome to the live coverage! The match is about to kick off.

India U16 side will take on USA U16 in their final match of the Sport Chain Cup on 19th of April.

India has been without a win in the Sport Chain Cup so far. This is the 3rd and final chance of the India U16 football team to win a match. They faced USA U16 team first up, where they lost 1-0 and in the 2nd match which they played yesterday, they lost 3-1 to Norway.

Bibiano Fernandes has a lot to learn from the Sport Chain Cup 2018. The Indian strikers just have not been upto the mark in both the matches. Bibiano Fernandes, the Indian U16 football team coach is sure to make some tactical changes coming into this game. The same formation and tactics were followed in the previous two games and one can say that they worked to a certain extent as well because India created a lot of goal scoring opportunities. However, as India were not ultimately able to convert the opportunities into goals, something new certainly needs to be tried.

India has been a strong bunch in the Defense and in the midfield. We will have to wait and see how they fare in their third and final match.