India U-16 boys go down fighting to USA U-17 Team

The India Under-16 boys currently based at the IMG Academy in the sunshine state of Florida went down fighting by a lone goal to the USA Under-17 National Team in a practice match. The match had become possible as the USA U-17 Team also practices at the same IMG Academy premises.

Coach Bitan Singh lauded the boys for putting up a brave fight. "The boys played well. The USA U-17 boys are a class act. The match will only add to the confidence of our wards," he said.

The India Under-16 boys based at the IMG Academy will join the Under-16 preparatory camp for the AFC Under-16 Championships final phase under the watchful eyes of Colm Toal which kicks-off in Goa from June 1. The IMG Academy-based boys would be joining the home-based boys.

India have been drawn in Group D along with Uzbekistan, Syria and China, which will be played in the Iranian capital Tehran.

Dallas Cup: INDIA U-15 reach quarterfinals

The India Under-15 boys team has made it to the quarterfinals of the Under-15 age group category of the 32nd Dallas Cup in the US state of Texas. They topped Group G ahead of local US competitors and now face FC Golden State (California) later today for a spot in the semifinals.

It wasn't the best of starts as India U-15 lost their opening game 1-2 against Santa Clara Sporting from California, but the boys recovered to win 5-2 against TSF Academy Grey and then scored a crucial 1-0 win against Sockers U15 Cup yesterday through a Mohanna goal to confirm that they stay in the tournament.

In the end India would go on to top Group G with six points ahead of Santa Clara Sporting (California) with five, while Sockers U15 Cup (Illinois) are out with four points and TSF Academy Grey (New Jersey) finished last with only one point to their name.

The India Under-15 team has now been based in Florida since September 2010 and have been training at the IMG Academy. Their friendly results in the US and on a trip to Brazil have been very encouraging.